interest rates

Russian Central Bank cuts key rate to 9.75%, optimistic about Russian economy

A few weeks after the Russian Central Bank indicated that it was unlikely to cut its key rate before mid year, a cluster of good economic news have caused it to shave its key rate down today from 10% to 9.75%.
To be clear, this is a token cut that will not by itself make any difference to the state of economy.  Its importance is that it clearly signals that more cuts are on the way.  That may in itself act as a spur to growth, consolidating the recovery.

ECB: Rates, stimulus program unchanged

The euro reacted to the ECB’s announcements on Thursday by rising to its highest position against the US dollar in two weeks [Xinhua]
The euro hit a two-week high against the US dollar late Thursday after the European Central Bank (ECB) agreed to keep it’s current stimulus (quantitative easing) program as is with no change.
Just ahead of markets closing in Europe on Thursday, the euro rose 0.67 per cent to 1.134 against the dollar.