Interest rates
ECB keeps rate rise on hold as expected
GERMANY - The European Central Bank on Thursday left interest rates unchanged as expected since euro zone recovery remains limp as well as the euro's rally helping to stifle inflation. The ECB's key refinancing rate remains at 3.25 percent, unchanged…
Bank of England leaves rate unchanged at 4%
UK - The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has left its key lending rate unchanged at four percent for the seventh month running as it awaits concrete signs that the economy has shaken off its downturn.
Bank of England maintains interest rates at 4.0%
PRESS RELEASE - The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee today voted to maintain the Bank's repo rate at 4.0%. The minutes of the meeting will be published at 9.30am on Wednesday 19 June.
ECB monetary policy decision, 6 June
PRESS RELEASE - The ECB made its decision on monetary policy on 6 June, leaving rates unchanged.
Bank of Canada raises rates by 1/4%
CANADA - The Bank of Canada today announced that it is raising its target for the overnight rate by one-quarter of one percentage point to 2 1/2 per cent. The operating band for the overnight rate is correspondingly increased, and the Bank Rate is now 2…
Statement by Ian Macfarlane of the RBA, 5 June
PRESS RELEASE - Statement by Ian Macfarlane, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, on monetary policy: "Following a decision taken by the Board at its meeting yesterday, the Bank will be acting in the money market this morning to increase the cash…
RB of Australia raises benchmark rate to 4.75%
AUSTRALIA - The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its benchmark interest rate for the second time in a month by a quarter percentage point to 4.75%. It is hoped this will put a damper on a housing boom and consumer spending that may fuel inflation.
Australian interest rates 'to soar'
AUSTRALIA - Interest rates may have to rise by two percentage points in Australia to cut the risk of overheating, the country's central bank chief has warned.
Risks await in raising interest rates
FEATURE - If central bankers are 100 per cent sure that interest rates need to start rising, it is probably too late reports Tuesday's Financial Times.
Norges Bank press release
PRESS RELEASE - Norges Bank keeps interest rates unchanged, 22 May.
The effect of US interest rates on Hong Kong
RESEARCH - Hong Kong Monetary Authority has released a report on 'Macroeconomic Implications of US Interest Rates for Hong Kong'.
Bank of England hints at future rate rise
UK - May's decision by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to leave interest rates unchanged at 4% was unanimous for the third month in a row, the latest minutes of the MPC's meeting have shown.
Europeans aim for joint rate rises
UK - Europe's central banks are set to raise interest rates simultaneously on 6 June, say leading economists. The Bank of England, the European Central Bank and the Swedish Riksbank are likely to hike rates at their respective policy-making meetings in…
Outgoing MPC member criticises B of E rates record
UK - The Bank of England would have delivered a significantly more impressive performance on both growth and inflation if interest rates had been kept lower over the past few years, according to research carried out by Sushil Wadhwani, a soon to depart…
Bank of England News Release
NEWS RELEASE - Bank of England Maintains Interest Rates at 4.0%, 9 May.
UK interest rates kept on hold
UK - The Bank of England's monetary policy committee on Thursday voted to leave interest rates unchanged at 4 per cent, in a decision which underlined the fragility of the UK economic recovery.
Australia's reserve bank raises interest rates
AUSTRALIA - Australia's central bank has raised interest rates for the first time in almost two years in a bid to curb inflation and protect its booming economy.
US rates left on hold - for now
US - The US Federal Reserve has left interest rates unchanged at their current 40-year low of 1.75%, citing 'uncertain' growth prospects in the coming months.
ECB Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Monetary Policy Decisions, 2 May.
Eurozone interest rates left unchanged
EUROPE - Interest rates in the 12-nation eurozone have been kept on hold as expected at a regular ECB meeting held Thursday.
Greenspan dampens rate hike fears
US - The US Federal Reserve is expected to leave interest rates unchanged until an economic recovery in the US has gained a strong foothold, analysts said after having listened to a key speech by the Fed chairman Alan Greenspan.
Bank chief explains UK euro delay
UK - Sir Edward George, the governor of the Bank of England, has placed the loss of control over interest rates as a major reason behind the UK's reluctance to adopt the euro.
UK MPC member says further rate cuts not ruled out
UK - UK interest rates may still fall again if the world economy takes a turn for the worse, while the first increase in borrowing costs could be some way off, a member of Britain's monetary policy team told the Times.
Norges Bank keeps interest rates unchanged
PRESS RELEASE - Interest rates were left unchanged at Norges Bank's Executive Board meeting on 10 April. Norges Bank's key interest rate, the sight deposit rate, therefore remains at 6.50 per cent. The overnight lending rate also remains unchanged.