Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Armenia boosts number of central banks easing to 42

    Today's rate cut by the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) has increased the number of central banks that have eased their policy stance so far this year to 42 while 18 central banks have tightened their monetary policy stance.
    The CBA's 25 basis point cut to its benchmark refinancing rate follows three rate hikes from December through February by a total of 375 basis points in response to a sharp devaluation of the dram's exchange rate late last year as it was dragged down by the economic crises in Russia - Armenia's largest trading partner - and a plunge in the ruble in December and January.
    Following is an alphabetical list of countries that have changed their monetary policy this year. The list is updated and can be accessed on the Central Bank News website under the heading of "Easier or  Tighter?" as soon as central banks announce changes to their policy.
   

ALBANIA
Jan 28: key rate cut 25 bps to 2.00%, easy monetary conditions to be maintained some quarters ahead to achieve inflation target
ANGOLA
Feb 13: rate on liquidity absorbtion facility cut 175 bps to 0.0% at extraordinary meeting following government 2015 program
Mar 30: basic interest rate raised 25 bps to 9.25% as inflation rises, kwanza depreciates and credit rises
Jun 29: basic interest rate raised 50 bps to 9.75 as inflation accelerates, credit rises
Jul 27: basic interest rate raised 50 bps to 10.25% as inflation rises
ARMENIA
Jan. 22: repo rate raised 100 bps to 9.50% to support demand, foster sustainable growth and inflation 
Feb 10: repo rate raised 100 bps to 10.50% to reduce short-term market rates, stabilize financial markets and ensure inflation objective
Aug 11: repo rate cut 25 bps to 10.25% as inflation is expected to fall and deviate from lower limit of target range
AUSTRALIA
Feb. 3: cash rate cut 25 bps to 2.25% to boost demand, economic growth and inflation
May 5: cash rate cut 25 bps to 2.00% to boost household demand but no guidance issued.
AZERBAIJAN
Jul 10: refinancing rate cut 50 bps to 3.00% to stimulate growth in non-oil sector and accelerate fall in interest rates for business
BELARUS
Jan 8: National Bank enacts series of measures to stabilize Belarus ruble and money markets, including raising repo rate 500 bps to 25.00%, overnight deposit rate raised to 20%, reserve requirement on FX cut to 12.50% and then to 10.00% in February in light of lack of ruble funds. Pegging of Belarus ruble to FX basket resumes.
BOTSWANA
Feb 18: bank rate cut 100 bps to 6.5% as economic outlook and inflation provides scope for easing
Aug 6: bank rate cut 50 bps to 6.0% as low domestic demand and subdued foreign price developments contribute to positive inflation outlook
BRAZIL
Jan 21: Selic rate raised 50 bps to 12.25% in unanimous decision, no bias
Mar 4: Selic rate raised 50 bps to 12.75% in unanimous decision, no bias
Apr 29: Selic rate raised 50 bps to 13.25% in unanimous decision, no bias
Jun 3: Selic rate raised 50 bps to 13.75% in unanimous decision, no bias 
Jul 29: Selic rate raised 50 bps to 14.25 in unanimous decision, rate to be maintained at this level for sufficient long period to bring inflation to target by end-2016
BULGARIA
Dec 30, 2014: January base rate cut by 1 bps to 0.01%
May 29: June base rate raised by 1 bps to 0.02%
Jul 31: August base rate cut by 1 bps to 0.01%
CANADA
Jan 21: benchmark target for overnight rates cut 25 bps to 0.75% in response to sharp drop in oil prices that will be negative for growth and inflation
Jul 15: benchmark target for overnight rates cut 25 bps to 0.50% due to slower growth, downside risks to inflation
CAPE VERDE
Feb 13: policy rate cut 25 bps to 3.50%, reserve requirement cut 300 bps to 15.0% to boost growth and fight "scenario of deflation"
CENTRAL AFRICAN STATES
Jul 10: main rate cut 50 bps to 2.45%
CHINA
Feb 4: reserve requirement for big banks cut 50 bps to 19.50% to free up up to 600 billion yuan held as bank reserves
Feb 28: benchmark 1-year lending rate cut 25 bps to 5.35% and 1-year deposit rate cut 25 bps to 2.50% to counter dampening impact on economy from rise in real interest rates from falling inflation 
Apr 19: reserve requirement for big banks cut 100 bps to 18.50% to counter slowdown in industrial output and retail sales
May 10: benchmark 1-year lending rate cut 25 bps to 5.10% and 1-year deposit rate cut 25 bps to 2.25% as economy faces "greater downward pressure" while inflation remains low
Jun 27: benchmark 1-year lending rate cut 25 bps to 4.85% and reserve requirement for rural lenders by 50 bps and ratio for financial firms by 300 bps
Aug 11: devaluation of yuan's central parity exchange rate by about 200 bps against U.S. dollar as PBOC wants market to play bigger role in exchange rate by basing midpoint on market makers' quotes, which refer to previous day's closing rate of inter-bank FX market
COSTA RICA
Feb 2: policy rate cut 50 bps to 4.75%
Mar 19: policy rate cut 25 bps to 4.50%
Apr 23: policy rate cut 25 bps to 4.00%
Jun 20: policy rate cut 25 bps to 3.50%
DENMARK
Jan 19: Lending rate cut 15 bps to 0.05%, deposit rate cut 15 bps to -0.20% following purchase of FX in market
Jan. 22: Deposit rate cut 15 bps to -0.35% following purchase of FX in market
Jan. 29: deposit rate cut 15 bps to -0.50% following purchase of FX in market
Jan. 30: Danish government suspends issuance of domestic and foreign bonds to limit FX inflow
Feb. 5: deposit rate cut 25 bps to -0.75% following purchase of FX in market. Danmarks Nationalbank says it has necessary instruments to defend fixed exchange rate
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
April 30: policy rate cut 50 bps
March 30: policy rate cut 50 bps
May 3: policy interest rate cut 50 bps to 5.25% as inflation expected to remain below lower bound
May 31: policy rate cut 25 bps to improve economic growth without jeopardizing inflation target
EGYPT
Jan. 15: deposit rate cut 50 bps to 8.75% in surprise move as upside risks from imported inflation are contained due to lower oil and food prices
EURO AREA
Jan. 22: Governing council decides to launch expanded asset purchase program in March, with combined monthly purchases of euro-area government and European institutions of 60 billion euros. Programme intended to be carried out until end of September 2016 and until "sustained adjustment in path of inflation."  
GAMBIA
May 7: rediscount rate raised 100 bps to 23.00% along with more intense market operations due to persitent inflationary pressure
GEORGIA
Feb 11: repo rate raised 50 bps to 4.50%, as predicted by governor, and central bank expects further rate rise to 5.0% by end-2015
May 6: repo rate raised 50 bps to 5.00% and will be raised to 5.50% end-year on risk inflation will exceed target
Jul 1: repo rate raised 50 bps to 5.50% and will be raised to 6.50% end-year due to rising inflation expectations, domestic and external risks
GHANA
May 13: monetary policy rate raised 100 bps to 22.00% to rein-in inflation and inflation expectations along with sustained fiscal consolidation.
GUATEMALA
Feb 25: leading interest rate cut 50 bps to 3.50% as inflation is forecast to remain below the central bank's target. Central bank says will take timely actions to keep inflation close to medium-term target.
HUNGARY
Mar 24: base rate cut 15 bps to 1.95%, "cautious easing" may continue.
Apr 21: base rate cut 15 bps to 1.80%, "cautious easing" may continue.
May 26: base rate cut 15 bps to 1.65%, "cautious easing" may continue
Jun 23: base rate cut 15 bps to 1.50%, sees "further, slight easing" of policy rate
Jul 21: base rate cut 15 bps to 1.35%, but rate now reached level that assures inflation target will be reached while economy is supported 
ICELAND
Jun 10: key rates raised 50 bps as high wage increases, robust demand worsens inflation outlook. Further rate rise in August necessary.
INDIA
Jan 15: repo rate cut 25 bps to 7.75% in unscheduled move in response to falling inflation. Further easing based on continuing disinflation
Mar 4: repo rate cut 25 bps to 7.50% in another unscheduled move with reserve bank governor describing it as a pre-emptive move in light of softer inflation. Further adjustment to depend on data.   
Jun 2: repo rate cut 25 bps to 7.25% in a front-loaded move as inflation should fall further while capacity utilisation remains low and the economic recovery remains mixed with subdued investment and credit growth.  
INDONESIA
Feb 17: BI rate cut 25 bps to 7.50% on confidence that inflation will remain within target corridor
May 19: Loan-to-deposit (LDR) ratio and loan-to-value (LTV) policy for mortgages and car loans to be loosened to "keep the economic growth momentum."
IRAN
April 18: Annual deposit rate cut 200 bps to 20% on lowered inflation forecast
ISRAEL
Feb 23: benchmark interest rate cut 15 bps to 0.10% to counter negative impact on economic activity and inflation from recent appreciation of shekel.
JAMAICA
Apr 16: rate on 30-day certificate of deposit cut by 25 bps to 5.50% as inflation expected to remain low 
JORDAN
Feb 2: re-discount rate cut 25 bps to 4.00% following rise in foreign reserves and improved inflation outlook
Jul 8: re-discount rate cut 25 bps to 3.75% to stimulate economic growth
KENYA:
Jun 9: central bank rate raised 150 bps to 10.00% to curb inflation pressure from depreciating shilling, strong demand and expected rise in oil prices
Jul 7: central bank rate raised 150 bps to 11.50% to anchor inflationary expectations from pressure on the exchange rate over last few months
KYRGYZSTAN
Jan 26: policy rate raised 50 bps to 11.00% to curb inflation pressures from depreciation of som, appropriate measures to be taken to reduce inflation to target
May 26: policy rate cut 150 bps to 9.50% as inflation falls further
Jul 27: policy rate cut 150 bps to 8.00% as seasonal factors slow down inflation
MOLDOVA
Jan 29: base rate raised 200 bps to 8.50%, reserve requirement raised 200 bps to 16.00%
Feb 17: base rate raised 500 bps to 13.50% at extraordinary board meeting in response to leu depreciation 
Apr 30: reserve requirement raised 200 bps to 20.00% as depreciation expected to raise inflaiton 
May 28: base rate raised 100 bps to 14.50% as inflation expected to exceed upper limit, reserve requirement raised 200 bps to 22.00%
Jun 25: base rate raised 100 bps to 15.50% to anchor inflation expectations as inflation expected to accelerate in coming months, reserve requirement raised 400 bps to 26.00%
Jul 30: base rate raised 200 bps to 17.50% as inflation forecast to exceed upper limit until Q2 2017. Reserve requirement raised 600 bps to 32.00%
MONGOLIA
Jan 16: policy rate raised 100 bps to 13.00% to dampen demand, curb current account deficit and keep inflation low and stable
NAMIBIA
Feb 18: repo rate raised 25 bps to 6.25% on continuing concern over high growth in household credit used on "unproductive goods" such as cars and luxury goods
Jun 17: repo rate raised 25 bps to 6.50% to contain high growth in credit, particularly installment credit used to buy unproductive luxury goods
NEW ZEALAND
Jun 11: OCR rate cut 25 bps to 3.25% in light of low inflationary pressures and expected weakening of demand. Expects further easing to be appropriate.
Jul 23: OCR rate cut 25 bps to 3.00% due to a softer outlook for the economy and inflation. Further easing seems likely.
NORWAY 
Jun 18: key policy rate cut 25 bps to 1.00% due to a deterioration in economic outlook but countercyclical capital buffer to be raised to 1.5% from 1.0% in June 2016 to prevent lower lending rates leading to even higher property prices and debt. 
PARAGUAY
Mar 19: policy rate cut 25 bps to 6.50% as inflation continues to fall a expectations have adjusted to new inflation target
Apr 21: policy rate cut 25 bps to 6.25% to maintain policy stance as falling inflation is changing inflation expectations
Jun 18: policy rate cut 25 bps to 6.00% as some domestic sectors have undergone negative shocks in last 2 months
Jul 21: policy rate cut 25 bps to 5.75% to boost economic activity as growth in 2016 may be below forecasts and potential
PAKISTAN
Jan. 24: policy rate cut 100 bps to 8.50% due to improving economy, declining inflation, rising FX reserves and contained fiscal deficit. Inflation forecast revised down
Mar 21: policy rate cut 50 bps to 8.00% due to trend of falling inflation
May 23: key rates cut 100 bps with ceiling rate cut to 7.0% and floor rate at 5.0%, new target rate set at 6.50%
PERU
Jan. 15: policy rate cut 25 bps to 3.25% on continued weak growth but says this doesn’t imply successive rate cuts
Jan. 27: reserve requitement for domestic currency cut 50 bps to 8.50%
Feb 26: reserve requirement for domestic currency cut 50 bps to 8.00%
Mar 30: reserve requirement for domestic currency cut 50 bps 7.50%
Apr 27: reserve requirement for domestic currency cut 50 bps to 7.00%
May 31: reserve requirement for domestic currency cut 50 bps to 6.50%
POLAND
Mar 4: policy reference rate cut 50 bps to 1.50% in expected move to avoid prolonged period of deflation. Central bank lowers inflation forecasts but says it has now ended its easing cycle.
ROMANIA
Jan. 7: policy rate cut 25 bps to 2.50%, rate corridor narrowed 25 bps 2.25 pct points as inflation forecast to remain below lower bound of target range
Feb. 4: policy rate cut 25 bps to 2.25%, rate corridor narriwed 25 bps to 2.00 pct points as inflation forecast lowered
Mar 31: policy rate cut 25 bps to 2.00%, rate corridor narrowed 25 bps to 1.75 pct points as data shows inflation will rise but remain below lower bound of target range
May 6: policy rate cut 25 bps to 1.75%, rate corridor narrowed 25 bps to 1.50 pct points, reserve requirement on leu cut 200 bps to 8.00% after inflation forecast cut
RUSSIA
Jan 30: key rate cut 200 bps to 15.00% to avert "sizable decline in economic activity"
Mar 13: policy rate cut 100 bps to 14.00% and central bank says ready to continue ctting as inflation risks abate
Apr 30: key rate cut 150 bps to 12.50% and central bank says ready to cut further as inflationary risks continue to weaken
Jun 15: key rate cut 100 bps to 11.50%. Central bank ready to cut furtherbut easing limited by the risk of inflation.
Jul 31: key rate cut 50 bps to 11.00%, further cuts to depend on balance of inflation risks and risks of economy cooling
SERBIA
Mar 12: key policy rate cut by 50 bps to 7.50%, further changes depend on how commodity prices and international risks affect inflation 
Apr 9: key policy rate cut 50 bps to 7.00% to curb disinflationary pressures from low demand
May 11: key policy rate cut 50 bps to 6.50% as inflation is moving below the tolerance band and inflation pressures are subdued. Interest rate corridor around key rate narrowed to plus/minus 2.00% from 2.50%
Jun 11: key policy rate cut 50 bps to 6.00% to support growth as inflation is below the tolerance band, cautious stance warranted due to international uncertainties
SIERRA LEONE
Mar 23: monetary policy rate cut 50 bps to 9.50% to stimulate growth to promote growth against twin shocks of Ebola and fall in commodity prices, particularly iron iron
SINGAPORE
Jan. 28: Slope of Singapore dollar's appreciation band reduced in an unschedule move due to a lower inflation forecast.
SOUTH AFRICA
Jul 23: repo rate raised 25 bps to 6.00% on concern heightened inflation risks will lead to entrenched inflation expectations 
SOUTH KOREA
Mar 11: base rate cut 25 bps to 1.75%, a surprise to most analysts, as economic growth and inflation will be below forecasts
Jun 11: base rate cut 25 bps to 1.50% due to sluggish exports and the negative impact on consumption from the outbreak of the rare MERS virus.
SRI LANKA
Apr 15: main policy rates cut by 50 bps in surprise move, relaxed monetary policy stance will be pursued in coming months to boot growth while inflation remains in single digits
SWEDEN
Feb 12: repo rate cut 10 bps to -0.10%, starts quantitative easing by buying 10 bln Swedish crowns of 1-5 yr gov. bonds to ensure inflation returns to target. Central bank says prepared to make policy more expansive
Mar 18: repo rate cut 15 bps to -0.25%, raises target for purchasing government bonds to 30 billion crowns in unscheduled move to ensure rise in crown doesn't reverse trend of rising inflation 
Apr 29: repo rate maintained at -0.25% but target for purchasing government bonds raised by 40-50 billion crowns to 80-90 billion to ensure deflation doesn't return and consumer prices continue to rise. Riksbank said prepared to make policy even more expansionary if necessary 
Jul 2: repo rate cut 10 bps to -0.35%, further 45 bln crowns of government bonds to be bought from Sept. through end-2015 to ensure inflation rises in light of appreciation of krona's exchange rate and uncertainties surrounding Greece. 
SWITZERLAND
Jan 15: Upper limit on Swiss franc exchange rate against euro of 1.20 abolished and 3-month Libor rate cut 50 bps to minus 0.75% in surprise move that shocks financial markets
THAILAND
Mar 11: policy rate cut 25 bps to 1.75% to support economic recovery and shore up confidence. Decision comes as a surprise to most economists as bank's MPC votes 4-3 to cut
Apr 29: policy rate cut 25 bps to 1.50% to support economic recovery and anchor inflation expectations
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Jan 30: repo rate raised 25 bps to 3.50% due to the potential for higher inflation, positive growth outlook and expected rise in U.S. rates
Mar 27: repo rate raised 25 bps to 3.75% due to the potential for higher inflation, positive growth outlook and expected rise in U.S. rates
Jun 1: repo rate raised 25 bps to 3.75% based on normalization of US monetar policy, potential for rising inflation and positive growth outlook
Jul 31: repo rate raised 25 bps to 4.00% based on normaliztion of US monetary policy, potential for rising core inflation and respectable performance by non-energy sector
TURKEY
Jan. 20: one-week repo rate cut 50 bps to 7.75% in response to lower inflation, future decisions conditional on improved inflation outlook
Feb 24: one-week repo rate cut 25 bps to 7.50%, with future decisions depending on inflation outlook
UGANDA
Apr 8: central bank rate raised by 100 bps to 12.00% to forestall rise in core inflation over bank's target
Jun 16: central bank rate raised 100 bps to 13.00% in response to high inflation pressure from shilling depreciation and rising demand. To raise rate further if inflation outlook deteriorates.
Jul 13: central bank rate raised 150 bps to 14.50% to avert prospect of higher inflation from recent depreciation of shilling's exchange rate
Aug 10: central bank rate raised 150 bps to 16.00% to forestall risk of higher inflation from exchange rate depreciation
UKRAINE
Feb 5: discount rate raised 550 bps to 19.50% to defend hryvnia and curb inflation. Daily auctions for FX scrapped
Mar 3: discount rate raised 1050 bps to 30.00% to defend hryvnia exchange rate, reduce money market tensions and curb inflation 
UZBEKISTAN
Jan. 5: repo rate cut 100 bps to 9.00% to boost growth

    www.CentralBankNews.info

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