Central bank

Australia's central bank is facing pressure to raise interest rates more aggressively, with some commentators urging the Reserve Bank of Australia to 'go harder' with a larger-than-expected hike. The debate comes as inflation remains elevated, with economists divided over whether a standard increase will be enough to curb price growth or whether borrowers need bigger pain now.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to resume raising its key interest rate, with policymakers' patience over stubborn inflation wearing thin. Bloomberg reports the central bank is poised to tighten again as price pressures prove more persistent than hoped, a move that would add to borrowing costs for Australian households and businesses.

The European Central Bank is examining new currency safety arrangements as part of an effort to strengthen the euro's standing in the global financial system. The work signals that eurozone policymakers want to reduce reliance on the US dollar and make the euro a more attractive reserve and funding currency, with liquidity backstops seen as a key building block for that ambition.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said the bank's policy of measured interest rate hikes remains appropriate to bring inflation back to target. Her comments, picked up by Reuters and financial outlets, signal the ECB will keep tightening gradually rather than pause or accelerate, as policymakers weigh persistent price pressures against slowing growth in the eurozone.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is maintaining a cautious, gradual approach to interest rate policy as the bank works to bring inflation back to its target. The message signals the ECB prefers incremental moves over aggressive shifts, in line with recent guidance, as policymakers weigh persistent price pressures against slowing growth in the euro area.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said rising bond yields will weigh on economic growth and help bring down inflation, comments that traders and analysts are reading as a signal the ECB may not need to raise rates further. Markets are watching closely for confirmation ahead of the bank's next policy decision.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said eurozone inflation is expected to rise in the coming months, but stressed there are no signs yet of it becoming entrenched. Her comments reassure markets and policymakers watching whether persistent price pressures will force the ECB to keep interest rates higher for longer, or whether tighter monetary policy is succeeding in bringing inflation back toward target.

The European Central Bank has raised its key interest rates by 25 basis points, in line with market expectations. The decision continues the bank's campaign to bring inflation back toward its 2% target, and attention now turns to hints about whether further tightening is still to come.

The US Federal Reserve has decided to keep interest rates unchanged even as inflation reaches its highest level in three years. The decision means borrowing costs will stay where they are for now, with policymakers weighing stubborn price pressures against signs of strain in the economy. Markets and economists are watching closely for signals on when, or whether, the central bank might move rates again.

Minutes from the Bank of Japan's July meeting show board members debated whether interest rates needed to rise faster than planned. The discussion signals growing internal support for tightening policy as inflation pressures persist in Japan. Markets and economists read the minutes for clues on the timing of the next rate increase.

Federal Reserve official Michael Barr said further interest rate increases are likely needed to bring inflation back to the central bank's target. The comments signal that policymakers remain cautious about declaring victory over price pressures, and markets and analysts are weighing what a longer tightening path would mean for borrowing costs and the economy.

The Bank of Japan has signalled it may raise interest rates sooner than markets had anticipated. The hawkish signal points to a possible shift away from Japan's long-standing ultra-loose monetary policy. Investors and analysts are watching closely for clues on the timing of the move, as an earlier hike could affect the yen, bond yields and global carry trades.

China's central bank, the People's Bank of China, set a firmer daily reference rate for the yuan against the US dollar, a move being read as a signal of support for the currency. The tighter fixing is drawing attention from currency traders and market watchers assessing Beijing's stance on the yuan's value.

A Reuters poll of economists points to the Reserve Bank of India raising its key interest rate to 5.50% at its October policy meeting. The expected hike comes as inflation in India broadens beyond food and fuel into core categories, increasing pressure on the central bank to tighten further despite growth concerns.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said eurozone inflation is expected to rise because of the energy crisis, but there is little evidence so far that higher energy costs are feeding into broader price pressures. She emphasised that the expected increase does not signal entrenched inflation, seeking to reassure markets and households about the medium-term price outlook.

Bank of England Deputy Governor Dave Ramsden said interest rates may need to increase further if inflationary pressures in the UK economy persist or build. The remarks signal that the central bank remains ready to tighten monetary policy despite signs of cooling price growth, and will keep a close watch on incoming economic data before deciding its next move.

A former Bank of Japan official says an interest rate hike at the central bank's October meeting is a genuine possibility, keeping alive expectations that Japan's era of ultra-low rates is ending. The comments feed into ongoing speculation about when the BOJ will raise borrowing costs again, a topic closely watched by currency and bond markets worldwide.

Indonesia's central bank has reduced its interventions in the foreign exchange spot market, according to the governor. The move signals the bank's assessment that pressure on the rupiah has eased enough to allow a lighter presence in currency trading. It follows a period in which emerging market central banks, including Bank Indonesia, were actively defending their currencies against dollar strength and capital outflows.

Russia's central bank has lowered the official exchange rates it sets for major currencies against the ruble. The move affects the daily rates used across Russia's financial system for accounting, taxation and currency conversion. It comes amid ongoing volatility in the ruble, which has faced pressure from sanctions, energy export fluctuations and shifts in foreign trade flows since 2022.

Zimbabwe's central bank has lowered interest rates even as most global central banks hold or raise them, citing persistent risks linked to Iran. The move stands out amid a worldwide tightening or wait-and-see stance, and observers are weighing what it signals about Zimbabwe's inflation outlook and its exposure to Middle East tensions.

The Bank of Japan could raise its benchmark interest rate for a second consecutive month at its October board meeting, moving earlier than many economists expect, according to a former executive director who oversaw monetary policy at the central bank. The assessment adds to speculation about the pace of Japan's shift away from ultra-low rates and is drawing attention from markets watching for further tightening.

The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates again, a move being read as an acknowledgment that inflation is proving stubborn and the US economy is growing faster than expected. Commentators say policymakers are adjusting to a new environment in which price pressures persist despite earlier tightening, forcing the central bank to keep rates higher for longer than markets had anticipated.

Minutes from the Bank of Japan's July policy meeting show some board members called for raising interest rates faster than planned, citing persistent inflation pressure. The discussion signals growing debate within the central bank over the pace of its exit from ultra-loose monetary policy, even as it holds rates near historic lows.

India's central bank has completed a net sale of government debt totalling 1 trillion rupees, the first such volume in a decade. The move, reported by Reuters, reflects efforts to manage liquidity in the banking system and support the rupee. Market watchers are assessing what the milestone means for bond yields, borrowing costs and the RBI's policy stance in the months ahead.

Analysts argue that inflation broadening across categories, alongside resilient domestic growth and continued interest rate increases by central banks worldwide, strengthens the case for India's central bank to tighten monetary policy. The Reserve Bank of India faces mounting pressure to consider further rate action as price pressures persist.

Minutes from a Bank of Japan policy meeting show some board members pushed for raising interest rates more quickly, arguing upside risks to prices are building. The disclosure of internal disagreement highlights mounting pressure on the central bank as inflation concerns grow and markets watch for a faster exit from ultra-loose policy.

Bank of England Deputy Governor Dave Ramsden said there is a case for raising the central bank's key interest rate if inflationary pressures in the UK economy intensify. The comments signal that policymakers remain prepared to tighten monetary policy despite recent signs of easing price growth, and markets are watching for hints about the timing of the next move.

Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell says he will stay on the central bank's board of governors after his term as chair expires next month. The announcement keeps him involved in US monetary policy even as a successor takes over the top role, a move drawing attention amid ongoing debate over interest rates and the Fed's leadership transition.

Sterling has rebounded against both the dollar and the euro, with traders betting that the Bank of England will tighten monetary policy more aggressively. The pound's recovery reflects shifting expectations around future interest rate decisions in the UK, and the move is drawing attention among currency traders and investors watching how central banks weigh inflation against growth risks.

CNN reports that the massive investment surge around artificial intelligence is complicating efforts to bring inflation back under control. The argument: enormous AI-driven spending on data centers, chips and power is propping up demand and prices even as central banks try to cool the economy, leaving policymakers with a new source of inflationary pressure to untangle.

A former Bank of Japan executive has said the central bank could raise interest rates again in the near term. The comment adds to speculation about the timing of the next hike as Japan continues to move away from years of ultra-loose monetary policy, with markets watching closely for further policy tightening.