The European Central Bank decrees its fifth consecutive interest rate cut, sets the price of money at 2.5%, and anticipates that the next monetary decisions are not at all clear. Huge uncertainty". "Uncertainty everywhere".
The European Central Bank cut interest rates again on Thursday but warned of "phenomenal uncertainty" including the risk that trade wars and more defence spending could fuel inflation, raising the prospect of a pause in its policy easing next month.
The European Central Bank cut interest rates for the sixth time in nine months on Thursday, sticking to its easing plan in the face of economic upheaval from an unfolding trade war and new plans to boost Europe's military spending.
The ECB has cut rates five times since June as inflation retreated and economic growth faltered. But with rates slowly approaching a level that no longer restricts economic growth, one might expect an end to the easing cycle.
The EUR/USD pair reached levels not seen since last November, settling not far below 1.0888, the Friday high. The US Dollar’s (USD) sell-off was the result of tepid United States (US) data and mounting fears President Donald Trump’s tariffs will result in an economic setback.
The news that the European Central Bank has cut interest rates for the sixth time in the past 12 months is a positive development for Irish consumers and businesses.
The European Central Bank cut interest rates as expected on Thursday (Mar 6) and kept the door ajar to more, even as a looming trade war with the US and plans to boost military spending drive Europe’s biggest economic policy upheaval in decades.
Easing for the sixth time since June, the ECB lowered its deposit rate to 2.5% in a nod to slowing inflation and faltering growth, and said that rates were still restricting growth, even if less so than in the past.