We need to ‘take our time’ to get rate cuts right

The European Central Bank must take its time to get interest rate cuts right, the institution’s chief economist told CNBC, adding that companies should take a hit on profits to allow real wages to rise without fueling inflation. “A lot of evidence is accumulating, but what’s also fair to say is that the transition from … Read more

BOJ may exit negative rates next week. Here’s what you need to know.

Japan bar chart graph with ups and downs, increasing values, concept of economic recovery and business improving, businesses reopen, politics concept with flag Elif Bayraktar | Istock | Getty Images Speculation is swirling that the Bank of Japan may move to exit the world’s last negative rate policy as early as next week, when policymakers … Read more

When are the world’s central banks cutting rates in 2024?

Euros, U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, Russian rubles and Czech korunas lie on a table as banknotes.  Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images As inflation loosens its grip in most economies, investors are closely monitoring interest rate decisions, with markets expecting a slew of rate cuts this year. While rates in most economies are … Read more

European Central Bank holds interest rates, cuts inflation and growth forecasts

European Central Bank policymakers on Thursday lowered their annual inflation and growth forecasts, as they confirmed a widely expected hold of interest rates. Staff projections now see economic growth of 0.6% in 2024, from a previous forecast of 0.8%. They presented a more positive picture on inflation, with the forecast for the year brought to … Read more

Powell reinforces position that the Fed is not ready to start cutting interest rates

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday reiterated that he expects interest rates to start coming down this year, but is not ready yet to say when. In prepared remarks for congressionally mandated appearances on Capitol Hill Wednesday and Thursday, Powell said policymakers remain attentive to the risks that inflation poses and don’t want to … Read more

When will European Central Bank cut rates? Markets could soon get clues

European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde speaks as she presents the bank’s 2022 Annual Report to the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, eastern France, on February 26, 2024.  Frederick Florin | AFP | Getty Images FRANKFURT — The European Central Bank will meet again this week amid falling inflation, a slight recovery in economic activity … Read more

Nigeria battles to halt spiraling currency crisis and rising food insecurity

IBADAN, Nigeria – Feb. 19, 2024: Demonstrators hold placards during a protest against the hike in price and hard living conditions in Ibadan on February 19, 2024. Samuel Alabi | Afp | Getty Images Nigeria is battling to contain a historic currency crisis and soaring inflation, with the International Monetary Fund on Monday warning that … Read more

Turkish annual inflation soars to 67% in February

The Maslak financial and business center in the Sariyer district of Istanbul. Ayhan Altun | Moment | Getty Images Turkish annual consumer price inflation soared to 67.07% in February, the Turkish Statistical Institute said Monday, coming in above expectations. Analysts polled by Reuters had anticipated annual inflation would climb to 65.7% last month. The combined … Read more

Wall Street takes bets on which major central bank will blink first

A trader works, as a screen displays a news conference by Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell following the Fed rate announcement, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., January 31, 2024.  Brendan McDermid | Reuters The Bank of Japan and the Swiss National Bank have emerged … Read more

German central bank losses soar, wiping out risk provisions

Joachim Nagel, president of Deutsche Bundesbank, during the central bank’s “Annual Report 2023” news conference in Frankfurt, Germany, on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.  Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Losses incurred by the German central bank rocketed into the tens of billions in 2023 due to higher interest rates, requiring it to draw on the … Read more