Rate hike bets send Norway’s crown to 4-1/2 month highs

Reuters was first to report the Norwegian crown climbed towards its highest levels in more than four months against its Swedish rival, after strong inflation data raised expectations the central bank could increase interest rates as early as this month. Norwegian core CPI data for February was 2.6 percent annualized basis, above a Reuters forecast of 2.1 percent and well above the central bank’s long-term target of 2.0 percent. Reuters was 9 seconds ahead of the competition with the alerts.