(Reuters) - Sweden's central bank surprised markets on Wednesday by cutting interest rates further below zero and increasing its bond-buying stimulus program, reflecting its determination to prevent the crown's recent rise from snuffing out a pick-up in inflation.
It was the Riksbank's second decisive move in a month, but startled markets because it came between scheduled policy meetings.
The central bank is one of 24 monetary authorities around the world to have eased policy this year.
Below is a chronological list of central bank actions taken to counter the global deflationary pressures stemming largely from collapsing oil prices, or to boost flagging growth:
Jan. 1 UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan's central bank cuts its refinancing rate to 9 percent from 10 percent.
Jan. 7/Feb. 4 ROMANIA
Romania's central bank cuts its key interest rate by a total of 50 basis points, taking it to a record low of 2.25 percent. Most analysts polled by Reuters had expected the cut.
Jan. 15 SWITZERLAND
The Swiss National Bank stuns markets by scrapping its three-year-old on the franc's value against the euro, leading to a surge in the currency. The de facto tightening, however, is in part offset by a cut in the interest rate on certain sight deposit account balances of 0.5 percentage points, to -0.75 percent.
Jan. 15/March 4 INDIA
The Reserve Bank of India unexpectedly lowers its policy rate for the second time this year, backing the 10-month-old government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in its push to revive economic growth as inflation cools.
March 12 SOUTH KOREA
South Korea's central bank cuts interest rates for the first time in five months in a surprise move, lowering its base rate by 25 basis points to a record low of 1.75 percent. It is the second surprise cut from an Asian central bank in 24 hours, following Thailand's move the day before.
March 12 SERBIA
Serbia's central bank cuts its benchmark interest rate for the first time since November to 7.5 percent from 8 percent, as expected, in a move to ward off deflation and support economic growth after a new IMF loan deal.