ANI
17 Mar 2023, 12:25 GMT+10
Frankfurt [Germany], March 17 (ANI): The European Central Bank raised interest rates by a half-percentage point (0.5 or 50 basis points), The Wall Street Journal reported.
The central bank also promised emergency support for eurozone banks if needed, showing the policymakers' balancing act as they seek to combat high inflation without aggravating strains in the financial systemThe ECB said in a statement that it would increase its key rate to 3 per cent, following consecutive half-point rate increases in February and December. The 50 basis points (bps) rise surprised analysts who had expected a smaller uptick given the tense market situation after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, WSJ said.
At a news conference on Thursday, ECB President Christine Lagarde signalled the bank would be cautious about further rate increases, while stressing it stood ready to provide fresh liquidity to banks. Policymakers will make future rate decisions based on coming economic data, she said, a change from previously announcing plans for rate increases months in advance.
"It's not business as usual," Lagarde said. "It is not possible at this point in time...to determine what the path will be going forward."European stock markets rallied while government bonds gyrated following the announcements, according to WSJ. Analysts said the moves suggested interest rates would be lower than expected, with markets now pricing a peak ECB rate just above 3 per cent, down from about 4 per cent one week ago.
WSJ said the yield on the 10-year German bund declined to 2.132 per cent from 2.193 per cent before the release and then rose to 2.260 per cent.
WSJ said the ECB's decision provides an early glimpse into how major central banks, including the Federal Reserve, might respond to recent signs of market distress that started with the collapse of SVB and a second large US bank last week.
Both the Fed and the Bank of England are set to hold their policy meetings next week.
The ECB decision to push ahead with its pre-announced rate rise suggests that the central bank, at least, still sees pushing down high and sticky inflation in the eurozone as its priority, WSJ said. (ANI)Get a daily dose of International Travel News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to International Travel News.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York -U.S. stock markets closed with broad gains on Thursday, led by strong performances in U.S. tech stocks, while European...
LONDON/STOCKHOLM: The Persson family is ramping up its investment in the H&M fashion empire, fueling renewed speculation about a potential...
PARIS, France: L'Oréal is making a fresh play in the booming premium haircare segment with a new acquisition. The French beauty conglomerate...
MENLO PARK, California: Robinhood is giving European investors a new way to tap into America's most prominent tech names — without...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks diverged on Wednesday for the second day in a row. The Standard and Poor's 500 hit a new all-time...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The U.S. dollar continues to lose ground, weighed down by growing concerns over Washington's fiscal outlook...
KABUL, Afghanistan: Afghanistan, long associated with war and instability, is quietly trying to rebrand itself as a destination for...
EVERGLADES, Florida: Over the weekend, a diverse coalition of environmental activists, Native American leaders, and residents gathered...
NEW DELHI, India: India has decided not to allow a United Nations (UN) investigator to join the investigation into the recent Air India...
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], July 4 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that preparations are underway for...
AJMAN, 4th July, 2025 (WAM) - Following the resounding success of its first edition, the Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD)...
BEIJING, July 3 (Xinhua) -- China will organize an array of cultural events to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese...