Скачать или смотреть European Central Bank raises rates by 50 basis points

The European Central Bank on Thursday confirmed expectations of a 50 basis point interest rate increase, taking its key rate to 2.5%.


In a statement, it pledged to “stay the course in raising interest rates significantly at a steady pace” and, in unusually firm language, said it intended to hike by another 50 basis points in March.


It said keeping rates at restrictive levels would control price rises by dampening demand and keeping inflation expectations under control. Decisions at future meetings will be data-dependent, it added.


The move follows four hikes in 2022 which brought euro zone rates out of negative territory for the first time since 2014.


ECB President Christine Lagarde struck a hawkish tone at the last meeting in December, stressing interest rates would still need to rise “significantly at a steady pace” to bring inflation to its 2% medium-term target.


This led markets to price in 50 basis point hikes for February and March, with no rate cuts this year.