Our Scans · (FS.1.02) Central Banking · Weekly Summary

• [New] Rates are still relatively high as fears around stubborn inflation have kept the Federal Reserve from lowering its benchmark rate throughout 2026. WSJ Buyside
• [New] The Federal Reserve's federal funds rate cut of 0.25% in September to the 4% to 4.25% range will ease interest that farmers pay on variable short-term expenses such as seed, fertilizer and chemical. Farm Progress
• [New] Gold was the standout performer, rising by 11% to close around $5,250 per ounce, underpinned by Fed easing expectations, central bank purchases, with the People's Bank of China extending its buying streak, and mounting geopolitical risk. Butterfield Group
• [New] The surge in oil prices along with other products such as fertiliser as a result of the Iran war has fanned inflation fears and dampened expectations that the Federal Reserve and other central banks have room to lower interest rates. ST
• [New] The Federal Reserve is projected to lower rates by 50 basis points in 2026, a dovish move that is already boosting risk assets. Bitget
• [New] Mexico's central bank cut its benchmark interest rate Thursday, surprising analysts by opting to give the weak economy a boost despite the inflationary risk of the war in the Middle East. NAMPA
• [New] India has kept its retail inflation target for the central bank unchanged at 4% (plus or minus 2 percentage points), opting for continuity and price stability as global shocks from geopolitical tensions threaten to stoke price pressures. Economic Times
• [New] The European Central Bank revised downward its forecast for carbon prices in the ETS for 2026-2028 in its March review, despite higher inflation expectations. GMK.CENTER
• [New] Higher energy prices will impact when the Bank of England next cuts interest rates and it has already warned that the rising costs mean inflation is higher than we expected, at least in the short term. Yahoo Finance UK
• [New] The Bank of England has today announced that it will hold the Base Rate at 3.75%, keeping interest rates unchanged as it weighs fresh inflation risks against a weaker economic backdrop. Edward Mellor Estate Agents - Estate Agents & Lettings
• [New] The Federal Reserve held rates steady as expected, but stronger-than-anticipated producer price data reinforced concerns that inflation may remain sticky, particularly as energy prices surge. Beta Wealth Group
• [New] City traders are betting that the Bank of England will raise interest rates four times in 2026, as the Iran war threatens a fresh inflation surge. Yahoo Finance
• [New] The US Federal Reserve and Bank of Canada struck hawkish tones at their policy reviews on Wednesday, as the Iran war drives energy prices sharply higher and threatens a renewed wave of inflation. Economic Times
• [New] Federal Reserve officials have signaled a cautious path forward for interest rates, projecting modest cuts in the coming years as inflation proves more stubborn than anticipated. Roic AI
• [New] The Iran conflict is making investors more doubtful that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in 2026. Investopedia
• [New] With the Iranian conflict, Inflation will be higher, and the Federal Reserve will likely be hesitant to cut policy rates. EIN Presswire
• [New] The Bank of England held at 3.75% unanimously, warning that CPI could run between 3.0-3.5% over the coming quarters. Marimont Capital
• [New] In policy action, Sri Lanka's central bank is expected to keep its rate steady at 7.75% on Wednesday, extending the streak of holds to five meetings and reinforcing views that the easing cycle may have run its course as authorities eye an expected acceleration in inflation. financialpost
• [New] The European Central Bank is expected to hold its deposit rate steady throughout 2026. RiverFront Investment Group
• [New] New York's FY 2027 Executive Budget extends the 7.25% corporate tax rate through 2030 while decoupling from the key OBBBA provisions on depreciation, interest limits, R & E expensing, and Section 179, creating divergent federal, NYS, and NYC tax treatments. Grant Thornton Bharat
• [New] The Bank of England has kept interest rates on hold and signalled it could be forced to increase borrowing costs in the coming months as the US-Israel war on Iran threatens to drive inflation in the UK above 3%. The Guardian

Last updated: 02 April 2026