Bloomberg Czech policy makers will probably use negative interest rates only if they need another instrument to deter “excessive” capital inflows, according to Jiri Rusnok, the top candidate to become the next central bank governor. “We can’t give up that tool, but at the same time I think the probability of it being used is really low,” Rusnok, who joined ...

Madrid / AFP This year was supposed to be a good one for Spanish builders but the lack of a government three months after an inconclusive general election has put the brakes on economic activity. “Everything that has to do with construction in this country is blocked,” said Carlos Luaces, director general of Spain’s association of sand and gravel producers, ...

Washington / AFP In lowering its likely path of future interest rate increases this week, the Federal Reserve pushed down the dollar, perhaps aiming to ease strains caused by clashing monetary policies. Economists and investors alike were surprised when the US central bank announced on Wednesday that it only sees two rate hikes in 2016, half the number it envisioned ...