Financial News: Norway Central Bank Holds Key Rate; Signals Rate

Norway Central Bank Holds Key Rate; Signals Rate Hike

03/26/2026 - 06:25:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - Norway's central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Thursday but signaled future hike to tackle rising inflation fueled by the Middle East conflict.

The Monetary and Financial Stability Committee of Norges Bank decided to hold the policy rate at 4.00 percent.

The bank had reduced the rate by 25 basis points each in September and June. The reduction in June 2025 was the first in five years.

"Uncertainty is greater than normal due to the war in the Middle East, but the Committee judges that it will likely be necessary to raise the policy rate at one of the forthcoming monetary policy meetings", Governor Ida Wolden Bache said.

The policy rate forecast has been revised up since December and indicates an increase in the policy rate to between 4.25 percent and 4.5 percent by the end of this year.

Policymakers observed that the unexpected high inflation in recent months makes it difficult to assess underlying inflation pressures, and the uncertainty surrounding oil and gas prices is unusually elevated. Therefore, members wanted to wait for further information regarding inflation prospects.

The committee also said that the future path of the policy rate will depend on economic developments.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Market News provided by RTTNews

RECENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS

Italy Consumer Confidence Falls To 29-month Low; Business Morale Remains Broadly Stable (38 min(s), 27 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Italy's consumer confidence decreased in March to the lowest level in nearly two-a ...Full Story»

French Manufacturing Confidence At 4-Month Low (41 min(s), 27 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - French manufacturing sentiment weakened to a four-month low in March largely due to lo ...Full Story»

French Consumer Confidence Weakens In March (01 hr(s), 16 min(s), 27 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - France's consumer sentiment decreased in March to the lowest level in four months ...Full Story»

Eurozone Private Sector Credit Growth Slows In February (01 hr(s), 22 min(s), 27 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Corrects headline Eurozone private sector credit grew at a slightly slower pace i ...Full Story»

Norway Central Bank Holds Key Rate; Signals Rate Hike (01 hr(s), 24 min(s), 27 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Norway's central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Thursday but s ...Full Story»

Eurozone Private Sector Growth Slows In February (01 hr(s), 47 min(s), 27 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Eurozone private sector credit grew at a slightly slower pace in February ahead of the ...Full Story»

Hong Kong Trade Gap Widens In February (02 hr(s), 41 min(s), 27 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Hong Kong's trade deficit increased notably in February from a year ago as imprts ...Full Story»

Spain GDP Growth Rises In Q4 (02 hr(s), 56 min(s), 27 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Spain's economy grew at a faster pace as estimated in the fourth quarter, underpin ...Full Story»