Thursday, June 19th

📈 MARKET MOVERS

🚨 1. Lead Story – What You Need to Know

Norway’s central bank surprises markets with a rate cut
Norges Bank cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 4.25%, marking its first reduction since 2020. The central bank cited easing inflation pressures and signaled that additional rate cuts are likely later in 2025. Markets responded swiftly—Norway’s krone dropped, and local bond yields fell.

Why it matters: Norway’s surprise move underscores how smaller developed economies are beginning to diverge from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s tighter stance, reflecting a more fragmented global monetary policy environment.

🔗 Reuters