Central Bank Watch
Third Central Bank of Brazil Rate Hike of Full Percentage Point Since December
March 19, 2025
The Brazilian Selic interest rate was lifted at today’s scheduled review to 14.25% from 13.25%. This third such increase within four consecutive meetings of COPOM establishes the highest level since October 2016 and 375 basis points above the 10.5% level seen in 2024 from May until September. CPI inflation of 5.1% in February was at […] More
Central Bank Watch
FOMC Statement, Projections and Press Conference
March 19, 2025
No change was made in the assessment of the U.S. economy of solid growth and labor market conditions, low and stable unemployment, and somewhat elevated inflation. January’s statement called the economic outlook “uncertain and said risks were roughly balanced.” Today’s concedes a increase in the degree of uncertainty and deletes opinion that the risks are […] More
Central Bank Watch
FOMC Meeting of March 2025 Preview
March 19, 2025
The message after the January Federal Open Market Committee meeting seven weeks ago that ended in a paused interest rate target of 4.25-4.50% and continuing balance sheet reduction was, number one that monetary policy and the U.S. economy are in a good place; number 2 that considerable progress had occurred in the mission of restoring […] More
New Overnight Developments Abroad - Daily Update
Central Bank Rate Announcements, Geopolitical Uncertainties, and a Big Drop in the Turkish Lira
March 19, 2025
The Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan head a list of five central banks making interest rate announcements today. The BOJ Board voted unanimously to leave its overnight call interest rate unchanged at 0.50%. That matches its highest point since 1995. From 0.10% between January 2016 and March 2024, Japan’s short-term policy interest rate had […] More
