Amid signs of improving economy, ECB keeps rate unchanged at 1 pct

October 8th, 2009 ECB leaves rates unchangedFRANKFURT — The European Central Bank left its key interest rate unchanged at 1 percent on Thursday. Analysts had widely expected the bank to hold rates steady at its meeting in Venice.

September 17th, 2009 Oil holds above $72 on signs US economy improvingOil prices held above $72 a barrel Thursday amid signs the U.S. economy, the world's largest consumer of crude, could be improving.

September 16th, 2009 Bank of Japan keeps key interest rate unchangedTOKYO — The Bank of Japan upgraded its assessment of the world's second-largest economy and held its key interest rate unchanged at a near-zero 0.1 percent Thursday as it tries to nurture a recovery. The unanimous and widely anticipated decision on the overnight call rate came at the end of the central bank's two-day policy board meeting.

September 3rd, 2009 European Central Bank keeps rates steadyFRANKFURT — Improving consumer and business sentiment are signs of an economic rebound in the countries using the euro, European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said Thursday — though he warned any recovery was bound to be uneven. Speaking to reporters after the bank left its benchmark rate unchanged at 1 percent, Trichet said that any rebound was "expected to be uneven" both "inside and outside the euro area." The cautious tone of Trichet's remarks led economists to conclude the bank will not be raising interest rates from their record low for some time to come.

August 11th, 2009 Japan central bank likely to hold interest ratesTOKYO — Japan's Cabinet Office kept its cautious view on the economy unchanged Tuesday, noting signs the downturn was bottoming out while warning about growing joblessness. The Bank of Japan is also expected to keep a similar stance when it ends its two-day policy board meeting later in the day, and keep its near-zero interest rates unchanged.

July 28th, 2009 India central bank says economy could grow fasterNEW DELHI — India's central bank left interest rates unchanged Tuesday and said Asia's third-biggest economy could grow faster than forecast as it emerges from the global credit bust. Bank Gov. D. Subbarao said "the global economy was showing incipient signs of stabilization, albeit not recovery." The central bank said there is now "an upward bias" to its forecast for the economy to grow 6 percent in the year ending March 2010.

July 15th, 2009 Japan's central bank keeps rates steadyTOKYO — Japan's central bank has kept its benchmark interest rate steady amid signs that the economy has ended its slide. The Bank of Japan's eight-member policy board voted unanimously to leave its overnight call rate target unchanged at 0.1 percent, as widely expected by the market.

July 7th, 2009 Australia leaves key interest rate unchangedSYDNEY — Australia's central bank left its key interest rate unchanged for the third month at 3 percent Tuesday, citing a stabilizing global situation and stronger-than-expected domestic economy. The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept rates at the current level — their lowest in 49 years — since April but said in a statement there is room for further cuts this year if necessary.

June 8th, 2009 Dollar 3-month interbank lending rate edges higherLONDON — The cost of three-month dollar loans between banks rose from record lows Monday amid growing expectations that the worst of the U.S. recession is over and that the U.S Federal Reserve may start to lift borrowing costs sooner rather than later.

May 13th, 2009 South Korea's jobless rate falls to 3.8 percentSEOUL, South Korea — South Korea's unemployment rate fell to 3.8 percent in April, government data showed Wednesday, adding to signs the country's battered economy is improving. The jobless rate declined from 4 percent in March, the Korea National Statistical office announced.

May 12th, 2009 Bank of Korea keeps key interest rate at 2 percentSEOUL, South Korea — South Korea's central bank left its key interest rate unchanged Tuesday at a record low for a third straight month amid signs the country's slumping economy is improving. The Bank of Korea kept the benchmark seven-day repurchase rate at 2 percent at a regular monthly policy meeting.

May 5th, 2009 Australia leaves interest rates on holdSYDNEY — Australia's central bank decided Tuesday to leave its key interest rate unchanged at 3 percent, and cautiously noted some hopeful signs in the world economy despite continuing near-term gloom. The Reserve Bank of Australia has slashed its cash rate by an aggressive 4.25 percentage points since September, when the global financial crisis erupted and sent economies tumbling worldwide.

April 30th, 2009 Japan's central bank keeps interest rate on holdTOKYO — Japan's central bank kept its benchmark interest rate steady amid signs that the country's economic picture may be brightening. The Bank of Japan's eight-member policy board voted unanimously Thursday to leave the overnight call rate target unchanged at 0.1 percent, as widely expected.

April 29th, 2009 Fed says it sees signs recession may be easingWASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve says it sees signs the recession may be easing but warns the economy is likely to remain weak. Against that backdrop the Fed held its key lending rate at a record low of between zero and 0.25 percent.

April 29th, 2009 Fed sees signs recession may easingWASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve says it sees signs the recession may be easing but warns the economy is likely to remain weak. Against that backdrop the Fed held its key lending rate at a record low of between zero and 0.25 percent.