BRASILIA, Dec ‌10 (Reuters) - ​Brazil's central ‌bank held interest ​rates at ‍a nearly two-decade ​high ​on ⁠Wednesday for the fourth consecutive meeting, and kept its hawkish ‌tone unchanged by stressing ​the ‌need to ‍maintain borrowing ⁠costs steady "for a very prolonged period."

Brazil’s annual inflation slowed to within the central bank’s tolerance range for the first time in 14 months in November, just as policymakers prepare for their final meeting of 2025.

The Fed has cut interest rates for the third time in a row at December's meeting. Fed members were the most divided they've been all year.

After the Federal Reserve cut interest rates on Wednesday, other influential central banks are making monetary-policy decisions next week: Thursday, Dec. 18 The Bank of England is forecast to cut by 0.

Asian stocks tumbled in early trading on Monday as investors reined in risk-taking at the start of a week sprinkled with key central bank decisions and data releases.

Ecuador central bank chief Guillermo Avellán announced his resignation Tuesday, saying he would leave the job more than a year before the end of his term to pursue other professional opportunities.

Monetary policy committee holds benchmark rate steady for a fourth consecutive meeting as inflation remains above the central bank’s target.