National Bank of Moldova
Interest Rate Hike at National Bank of Moldova
August 6, 2026
The National Bank of Moldova’s base rate was increased to 7.5%, a 39-month high. This move followed increases of 150 basis points in May and 50 basis points in June undertaken to counteract intensifying effects from fighting in the Middle East. “The NBM’s decision to continue its restrictive monetary policy measures was adopted in the […] More
“We’ll Have to See What Happens”
August 6, 2026
Pick your cliche. Waiting for Godot. It ain’t over til the fat lady sings, or the Trumpian favorite that we’ll have to see what happens. Iran and Oman, which occupies the other side of the narrow Strait of Hormuz, are reportedly crafting an interim commitment to partially but not fully open the shipping passageway. Military […] More
Bumps in the Path of Full Middle Eastern Peace
June 19, 2026
In the United States, neither banks nor stock market trading will be open on this federal holiday of Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery 161 years ago. Elsewhere, there have been setbacks in the Middle Eastern peace process. The 14-point memorandum of understanding was signed earlier in France, and no talks between Iran and the […] More
Central Bank Rate Hikes in Moldova and Norway
May 7, 2026
In Moldova where CPI inflation rose to 5.8% in March from 4.9% two months earlier, officials felt that they could not merely wait and see as many other monetary authorities are doing. A 150-basis point interest rate hike to 6.5% at the National Bank of Moldova today restores the peak level of restraint that had […] More
Investors Hopeful about A Path to an Enduring Deal Between the United States and Iran
May 7, 2026
The softer dollar, stock market rallies and lower long-term interest rates that have occurred this week rest heavily on the premise that political leaders in the United States and Iran now have strong incentives to strike a deal after absorbing considerable pain from their ten-week-old war, rising energy costs and voter disapproval of President Trump […] More
Middle East Takes a Turn for the Worse, Forcing Monetary Authorities Around the World to Wait and See
March 19, 2026
The Strait of Hormuz remains essentially closed to shipping traffic, and Israel and Iran have escalated the race to destroy Middle Eastern energy facilities as thoroughly as possible. Brent crude briefly hit $119 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate continues to hover a bit above $97. The escalating conflict has ripped up the script on […] More
Fresh Anxiety about Coming AI Disruption Adding to Existing Worries about Trade & Geopolitical Tensions
February 5, 2026
The jittery mood of investors is generating big and sudden swings in world financial markets. While last year showcased a suspect dollar but buoyant equity markets, stocks, Bitcoin and precious metals have lately been the objects of most volatility. In overnight action up to this morning’s interest rate decision announcements by the the European Central […] More
Busy Session for Central Bank Watchers
September 18, 2025
On this Thursday, investors continued to react to yesterday’s interest rate reductions by the Federal Reserve (-25 basis points as expected), Canada (-25 bps as well as expected), Indonesia (an unexpected 25-bp cut). Brazil’s Selic rate was left unchanged for a second straight review at 15.0%, having been hiked 25 bps in June. Meantime, more […] More
Many Data Releases and Central Bank Interest Rate Announcements
August 7, 2025
Reciprocal tariffs became effective today. The scale of their increase is profound, and reactions in America to the new tax are extremely polarized and aligned with political affiliations. For Trump supporters, today is a great day, heralding a large new source of fiscal revenue and a rebirth of the country’s manufacturing sector. For political opponents, […] More
Central Bank Roll Call
March 20, 2025
The immediate sigh of relief by market participants — expressed in higher share prices and a retreat of the 10-year Treasury yield — to yesterday’s Federal Reserve show quickly wore off during overnight hours. Less emphasis has been attached to the unchanged Fed signal of likely two interest rate cuts later this year and to […] More
