Room for more rate cuts is limited in Central Europe

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Core Inflation ◽  
Market Sentiment ◽  
Financial Conditions ◽  
Downward Pressure ◽  
National Bank

Subject Policy implications of the downward pressure on inflation from the renewed oil price decline. Significance The National Bank of Poland (NBP) is under the most pressure to loosen monetary policy further, as the country's core inflation turned negative in January 2016, whereas in Hungary and the Czech Republic, core inflation remains in positive territory. Although the Hungarian Central Bank (MNB) has introduced a range of unconventional measures aimed at giving it greater control of short-term market rates without changing its benchmark rate, it has reached the limits of ultra-loose monetary policy, with fiscal loosening supplanting monetary easing as the main source of stimulus. Impacts Brexit's financial fallout is likely to stay contained, with equity markets rallying and gauges of financial volatility at historical lows. Germany's economy is likely to remain resilient post-Brexit, its composite purchasing managers' index rising to a seven-month high. This bodes well for Central Europe's economies, despite a recent slowdown in growth. Investors are losing confidence in the credibility and effectiveness of global monetary policy. However, very loose financial conditions in the global economy, particularly in Europe and Japan, will keep market sentiment favourable.

Hungary’s rising prices may shift monetary policy

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Central Bank ◽  
Euro Area ◽  
Federal Reserve ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Core Inflation ◽  
The Us ◽  
Manufacturing Sectors ◽  
National Bank

Significance The sharp slide in the forint is fuelling inflationary pressures, testing the resolve of the National Bank (MNB -- the central bank) to continue providing stimulus to the economy. Despite a surge in core inflation in Hungary to 3.8%, the MNB is using this year’s dovish U-turns by the ECB and the US Federal Reserve (Fed) as cover to keep monetary policy ultra-loose. Impacts The dollar index is strengthening despite the dovish U-turn by the Fed and is putting an end to the sharp rally in EM currencies in January. Inflationary pressures will be muted across the euro-area, with core inflation falling to 0.8% in March, less than half the ECB’s target. PMIs show Czech and Polish manufacturing sectors continuing to contract and Hungarian growth at its weakest level since 2016.

Hungarian monetary policy risks disorderly forint fall

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Household Consumption ◽  
Central Banks ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Core Inflation ◽  
Inflation Rates ◽  
The Eu

Significance This is despite a spike in core inflation. The three central banks of Central Europe (CE) are on a loosening cycle, responding aggressively to the COVID-19-induced collapse in growth while expecting the contraction to bring down core inflation rates later this year. Impacts PMI surveys for Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic show persistent expectations of contraction. The Commission expects Czech GDP to contract this year by 7.75%, the pandemic disrupting foreign demand for export-oriented manufacturing. Hungarian GDP is to shrink by 7% with labour market deterioration curbing household consumption and falling exports hurting the auto sector. Contraction in Poland’s resilient and diversified economy by just 4.5% in 2020 is forecast to be the least-bad in the EU. Hungary’s mixed record in handling of the crisis could put the ruling Fidesz party’s position at risk.

Czech koruna may avoid Swiss-style turmoil

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Oil Prices ◽  
Central Banks ◽  
Oil Price ◽  
Bond Markets ◽  
Price Rise ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Downward Pressure ◽  
National Bank

Subject The central bank's plans to lift its three-year cap on koruna/euro appreciation. Significance Mounting speculation that the Swiss-inspired currency floor might be scrapped early has led to upward pressure on the currency, buoying demand for shorter-dated Czech local bonds and forcing the Czech National Bank (CNB) to intervene more aggressively to weaken the koruna. While inflation rose to 0.6% in August, there are fears that removing the cap could lead to excessive appreciation of the koruna, putting downward pressure on growth and inflation. Impacts Concerns about ECB monetary policy efficacy, and possible early scaling-back of QE, are making Europe's bond markets increasingly jittery. Oil prices have risen past the psychologically important 50 dollars/barrel level, improving the outlook for inflation. Provided the oil price rise is sustained, this will ease pressure on central banks to loosen monetary policy further. The German economy's slowdown, due to a dearth of investment, is a drag on smaller CEE export-led economies such as Hungary and Slovakia.

Market volatility will test Hungary's policy regime

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Financial Markets ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Market Volatility ◽  
Structural Reforms ◽  
Policy Regime ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Sentiment ◽  
Greek Crisis ◽  
National Bank

Significance Despite mounting pressure on Hungarian assets, partly stemming from the Greek crisis, and the end in May of a long spell of deflation, the Hungarian National Bank (MNB) expects to ease policy further. However, persistently high debt levels, a dearth of structural reforms, imprudent monetary policy and continued deleveraging in the banking sector render Hungary vulnerable to a sharp deterioration in market sentiment. Impacts Central Europe's financial markets remain among the developing world's most resilient because of the relatively strong fundamentals. The scope for contagion from Greek default and possible Grexit is unclear, despite a euro-area seemingly better placed to manage its impact. Foreign holdings of Hungarian local bonds are mostly held by institutional investors less likely to reduce exposure during market turmoil.

scholarly journals Can inflation forecast and monetary policy path be really useful? The case of the Czech Republic

Equilibrium ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Szyszko ◽  
Karolina Tura
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Central Bank ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Inflation Expectations ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Inflation Forecasts ◽  
National Bank ◽  
Parametric Statistics

Producing and revealing inflation forecast is believed to be the best way of implementing a forward-looking monetary policy. The article focuses on inflation forecast targeting (IFT) at the Czech National Bank (CNB) in terms of its efficiency in shaping consumers’ inflation expectations. The goal of the study is to verify the accuracy of the inflation forecasts, and their influence on inflation expectations. The research is divided into four stages. At the first stage, central bank credibility is examined. At the second stage – accuracy of the inflation forecasts. The next step of the research covers a qualitative analysis of IFT implementation. Finally, the existence of the interdependences of inflation forecast, optimal policy paths and inflation expectations is analyzed. Credibility of the central bank, accuracy of the forecast and decision-making procedures focused on the forecast are the premises for the existence of relationship between forecasts and expectations. The research covers the period from July 2002 – till the end of 2013. Its methodology includes qualitative analysis of decision-making of the CNB, quantitative methods (Kia and Patron formula, MAE forecasts errors, quantification of expectations, non-parametric statistics). The results confirm the existence of interdependences between inflation forecasts and expectations of moderate strength. The preconditions of such interdependences are partially fulfilled. The research opens the field for cross-country comparisons and for quantification of IFT implementation.

In search for a new anchor: inflation targeting in the czech republic

2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiří Jonáš
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Inflation Targeting ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Fourth Part ◽  
National Bank ◽  
New Framework ◽  
Monetary Policy Framework

In December 1997 the Czech National Bank introduced a new framework for the conduct of monetary policy, inflation targeting. This article examines the preliminary experience with inflation targeting in the Czech Republic. In the second part, we discuss the reasons that have led the Czech National Bank to introduce this monetary policy framework. Third part describes principal operational features of inflation targeting in the Czech Republic, and discusses the specifics of inflation targeting under the conditions of an economy in transition. Fourth part reviews the conduct of monetary policy under the new regime, focusing particularly on how the new policy framework has affected central bank's decisions about interest rates. Fifth part discusses some reasons why implementation of inflation targeting during the first two years was difficult, and sixth part evaluates the experience with inflation targeting and provides some suggestions for improving the framework.

Central bank action will drive global equity markets

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Equity Markets ◽  
Economic Data ◽  
Equity Prices ◽  
Monetary Policies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Sentiment ◽  
The Us ◽  
Us Monetary Policy

Significance This volatility is driven by expectations of further monetary stimulus in response to a slowing economy. Despite persistent concerns about the fallout from the anticipated tightening in US monetary policy and many country-specific risks, such as the standoff between Greece and its creditors, equity market sentiment remains supported by accommodative monetary policies worldwide and expectations of the US monetary policy tightening being gradual. Impacts Market volatility could increase further, as better-than-expected economic data in the euro-area vies with weaker-than-anticipated US data. Decoupling of surging equity prices and weak economic fundamentals threatens the rally's sustainability, increasing scope for volatility. This decoupling is most pronounced in China, where weak economic data prompt buying of equities in anticipation of stimulus measures. The greatest risk in equity markets is uncertainty surrounding US interest rates and their impact on emerging markets.

Central Europe's lower yields may dampen bond outflows

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Oil Prices ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Corporate Debt ◽  
Bond Markets ◽  
Quantitative Easing ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Conditions

Subject QE’s influence on Central Europe’s bond markets. Significance Hawkish signals from the ECB are adding to recent strains on global bond markets, causing German ten-year Bund yields to shoot up to their highest levels since July. The sell-off is contributing to sharp outflows from Central Europe’s local debt markets, already under pressure as monetary tightening starts in the region; the Czech Republic, which has raised rates twice since August, is suffering the largest withdrawals. However, the absence of large inflows since the ECB started quantitative easing (QE) in 2015 could help mitigate the fallout from its end. Impacts As OPEC members reaffirm their commitment to production cuts, oil prices are shooting up to their highest level in nearly three years. Sales of speculative-grade US corporate debt have had their strongest New Year since 2014, a sign of enduring demand for high-yield bonds. The three-year low in the dollar index will help keep financial conditions loose and buoy up emerging market currencies.

Czech monetary divergence is set to end

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Central Bank ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Core Inflation ◽  
Capital Outflows ◽  
Wait And See

Significance Hampl was interviewed on August 29, after the CNB announced its first rate rise in more than nine years on August 3. He said faster growth made debating further monetary policy tightening "relevant". A gradual period of normalisation in monetary policy across Central Europe (CE) seems to be under way. Impacts The CNB could raise rates sooner than expected if there is an unexpected rise in capital outflows. In Poland, weak core inflation is expected to encourage the central bank to retain its 'wait and see' stance regarding future rate rises. Hungary's central bank may be the last in the region to hike interest rates; no change is expected before mid-2018.

scholarly journals New empirics of monetary policy dynamics: evidence from the CFA franc zones

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simplice Asongu
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Granger Causality ◽  
Money Supply ◽  
Monetary Union ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Short Run ◽  
Cfa Franc

Purpose – A major lesson of the European Monetary Union crisis is that serious disequilibria in a monetary union result from arrangements not designed to be robust to a variety of shocks. With the specter of this crisis looming substantially and scarring existing monetary zones, the purpose of this paper is to complement existing literature by analyzing the effects of monetary policy on economic activity (output and prices) in the CEMAC and UEMOA CFA franc zones. Design/methodology/approach – VARs within the frameworks of Vector Error-Correction Models and Granger causality models are used to estimate the long- and short-run effects, respectively. Impulse response functions are further used to assess the tendencies of significant Granger causality findings. A battery of robustness checks are also employed to ensure consistency in the specifications and results. Findings –H1. monetary policy variables affect prices in the long-run but not in the short-run in the CFA zones (broadly untrue). This invalidity is more pronounced in CEMAC (relative to all monetary policy variables) than in UEMOA (with regard to financial dynamics of activity and size). H2. monetary policy variables influence output in the short-term but not in the long-run in the CFA zones. First, the absence of cointegration among real output and the monetary policy variables in both zones confirm the neutrality of money in the long term. With the exception of overall money supply, the significant effect of money on output in the short-run is more relevant in the UEMOA zone, than in the CEMAC zone in which only financial system efficiency and financial activity are significant. Practical implications – First, compared to the CEMAC region, the UEMOA zone’s monetary authority has more policy instruments for offsetting output shocks but fewer instruments for the management of short-run inflation. Second, the CEMAC region is more inclined to non-traditional policy regimes while the UEMOA zone dances more to the tune of traditional discretionary monetary policy arrangements. A wide range of policy implications are discussed. Inter alia: implications for the long-run neutrality of money and business cycles; implications for credit expansions and inflationary tendencies; implications of the findings to the ongoing debate; country-specific implications and measures of fighting surplus liquidity. Originality/value – The paper’s originality is reflected by the use of monetary policy variables, notably money supply, bank and financial credits, which have not been previously used, to investigate their impact on the outputs of economic activities, namely, real GDP output and inflation, in developing country monetary unions.

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