The US dollar ended Thursday trading in the Chilean money exchange market at its highest since December 2008, that is 674 Pesos for the greenback. Currently and seven years ago the main reason has been the US monetary policy: the sub-prime crash in the US and fears of the debacle expanding to the rest of the world, and now growing chances of the Federal Reserve deciding on a rise of the prime rate.
Chile's economy grew 0.8% in the third quarter compared with the same period in 2013, the worst performance in five years, the Central Bank reported Tuesday. The bank also announced that the basic rate will remain unchanged at 3%.
Chile's central bank cut its forecast range for 2013 GDP growth but maintained inflation and domestic demand predictions as the effects of a slowdown hitting copper demand are moderated by consumer spending.
The Chilean central bank raised its forecast for economic growth this year to between 4.75% and 5.25% (from 4% to 5%), adding that it expects GDP to expand 4% to 5% in 2013.
Chile is planning a 2013 budget with a tendency growth of 5% and an average long term basic copper price of 3.06 dollars the pound revealed finance minister Felipe Larraín together with Rosanna Costa, head of the Budget Office during a presentation before Congress.
Chile’s central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 5% for a fifth consecutive month as inflation in the world’s top copper producer eased and unemployment continued to decline.
Chile’s central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged at 5% for a fourth consecutive month as surging domestic demand and deterioration in the global economy leave little scope to change monetary policy.
Consumer price inflation in Chile accelerated for the third straight month in October, data released by the National Institute of Statistics showed Tuesday.
Chile’s central bank and government have monetary and fiscal instruments to respond if growth moderates faster than forecast amid concern over the European debt crisis, bank board member Rodrigo Vergara said.
Chilean inflation rose 0.5% in September and the trade balance narrowed as falling copper output forced the first monthly year-on-year fall in exports in over two years.