Russia Cuts Interest Rate Again
Russia's central bank has reduced its main lending rate by one point to 14% in an effort to aid the country's deepening economic woes.
#economics
Russia's central bank has reduced its main lending rate by one point to 14% in an effort to aid the country's deepening economic woes.
The cut follows a 2-point reduction in January. Both steps ease the bank's dramatic 6.5-point hike in the rate to 17% in December. That increase was intended to buttress the country's collapsing ruble, which last year lost half its value against the U.S. dollar. The currency has since stabilized.
Now the central bank says reviving Russia's economy is a higher priority. The bank expects Russia's economy to shrink 3.5%-4% this year and 1%-1.6% in 2016 before expanding 6% in 2017.
Economists say the bank hopes to provide stimulus without worsening the country's 16.7% inflation rate. The bank predicts Russia's inflation rate will drop to about 12% by year-end.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Ford’s $42 Billion Cash Cow
F-Series pickups generate about 30% of the carmaker’s revenue. The tally is about twice as much as what McDonald’s pulls in.
-
Mazda, CARB and PSA North America: Car Talk
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) Management Briefing Seminars, an annual event, was held last week in Traverse City, Michigan.
-
Report Forecasts Huge Economic Upside for Self-Driving EVs
Widespread adoption of autonomous electric vehicles could provide $800 billion in annual social and economic benefits in the U.S. by 2050, according to a new report.