European Central Bank policymakers set the stage for a June 10 showdown over the future of their emergency bond purchases when they met in April but stopped short of discussing their next move, the account of their meeting showed on Friday.
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May 14 (Reuters) - A country mission of the International Monetary Fund said on Friday that Ghana has managed its COVID-19 outbreak very effectively and its economy is rebounding with the support of strong policies.
“Policy interventions in 2020 were also critical to safeguard livelihoods and paved the way for a faster rebound of economic activity,” said Carlo Sdralevich, the mission head, in a statement following virtual meetings ended on May 12.
He said last year’s government actions to contain the pandemic also exacerbated pre-existing budget constraints and public debt vulnerabilities.
“The 2021 budget’s recent policy pivot towards fiscal consolidation is an important step in the right direction and a difficult one in a pandemic,” said Sdralevich.
By Reuters Staff
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MEXICO CITY, May 14 (Reuters) - Mexico’s inflation likely peaked this year when it breached the 6.0% level in April and should decline to below 5.0% by the end of this year, central bank board member Jonathan Heath wrote in an article published on Friday.
Mexico recorded faster-than-expected annual inflation of 6.08% last month, the highest level since December 2017, moving well above the Bank of Mexico’s target level of 3%, with a 1-percentage-point tolerance range above and below that.
“It’s very likely inflation will begin a slow downward trajectory during the remainder of the year and as the effects of the pandemic dissipate we should see a return to a certain normality next year,” Heath wrote in Forbes Mexico.
Hike likely in 2nd half of 2021 amid rebound from pandemic Economic uncertainty remains, but is no longer “substantial” Norges Bank could become first in G10 to hike (Adds quotes from central bank governor)
OSLO, May 6 (Reuters) - Norway’s central bank said it was on track to hike interest rates later this year if the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic proceeds as it expects.
The bank kept its key policy interest rate on hold at a record-low 0.0% at its latest meeting on Thursday, as expected.
Norges Bank plans to raise rates in the third or fourth quarter of 2021, likely making it the first among G10 central banks to increase the cost of borrowing since the pandemic began.