Central Banks
Riksbank Keeps Interest Rates on Hold in Surprise Move
- Economists had been split with a majority awaiting an increase
- Stubborn inflation supported hiking case, but growth is feeble
The Sveriges Riksbank, Sweden's central bank, in Stockholm.
Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The Riksbank paused its tightening campaign, refraining from inflicting a ninth increase in borrowing costs on an increasingly sickly Swedish economy.
Policymakers led by Governor Erik Thedeen left the benchmark interest rate at 4%, in a decision that had split economists. A majority predicted a hike, though eight out of 21 forecasts compiled by Bloomberg anticipated no change.