BANK OF ENGLAND CHIEF ECONOMIST SEES NO CURRENT NEED FOR NEGATIVE RATES

–Haldane Heralds Rapid UK Rebound, Despite Soft Consumer Confidence By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – A top Bank of England official Wednesday vigorously downplayed the need for sub-zero interest rates in the UK, citing an economic recovery that has far outpaced the Bank’s expectations. “At present, none of the conditions [that would necessitate negative rates] […]

ECB PRESIDENT DISCUSSES MERITS OF SYMMETRICAL INFLATION TARGETING

By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – Europe’s top central banker Wednesday suggested that symmetrical inflation targeting could have merit in dispelling the low inflation environment suffered in advanced economies since the financial crisis. Addressing the ECB and its Watchers XXI conference in Frankfurt, ECB President Christine Lagarde noted that many central banks have explored a […]

BANK OF ENGLAND CHIEF CONTINUES TO REVIEW NEGATIVE RATES; DOWNPLAYS IMMINENT RATE CUT

By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – The Bank of England is continuing to review the efficacy of negative interest in the UK, but the country’s leading central banker Tuesday downplayed the possibility of any policy change over the near term.  The Bank is “doing the groundwork” on the benefit of sub-zero rates, but has “reached […]

ECB’S SCHNABEL CALLS FOR A EURO CARBON TAX

— Chastises investors for under-pricing the risk of climate changeBy Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – A top European central banker Monday rebuked investors for under-pricing the risk of climate change and called for a global carbon price to challenge the ecological and financial harm presented by global warming. “A global climate price is the most […]

ECB’S LAGARDE UNVEILS NEW TRANSPARENCY MEASURES

–Gives no clues as to future monetary policy in an address to an EU committee By Laurie Laird LONDON (MaceNews) – Europe’s top central banker Monday promised greater transparency in its communications with the European Parliament, stepping up efforts to enhance public accountability following a rebuke from German court back in May.  Effective immediately, the […]

STATUS CHECK: SOLEMNITY AND THE USUAL DISCORDANT NOTES

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Thursday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes. The quiet day-long procession of Americans paying respect to Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the day’s solemn background music, an impressive tribute to a remarkable woman. And then President Trump came by, wearing a […]

BANK OF ENGLAND’S CHIEF ECONOMIST PREDICTS PERMANENT SCARRING TO THE LABOUR MARKET

By Laurie Laird  LONDON (MaceNews) – The UK labour market could suffer permanent scarring as a result of the coronavirus, according to a top central banker. “There’s a good chance that coronavirus will” accelerate a shift toward knowledge-based digital industries that was already in train before the pandemic ravaged the economy, Bank of England Chief […]

STATUS CHECK: WHOSE COGNITIVE ILLUSION IS BETTER?

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Wednesday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes. So much for a Wednesday. Noise perhaps. Confusion. Ominous sometimes, repetitious often and sadly, no longer surprising. Hardly news but too important to be ignored. Beginning with President Trump, in his evening news […]