European Central Bank: The Cheap Money Offer is Working
There were no surprises from the European Central Bank’s President, as Mario Draghi kept eurozone interest rates at 1%…
“The information that has become available since early December broadly confirms our previous assessment. Inflation is likely to stay above 2% for several months to come, before declining to below 2%.”
Last month, the ECB provided banks with nearly half a trillion euros in the form of three-year loans to help them fight the debt crisis. Draghi believes it’s paying off…
“Our non-standard policy measures are providing a substantial contribution to improving the funding situation of the banks, thereby supporting financing conditions and confidence.”
But he said there are many challenges ahead.
He’s “very concerned” about the pressure from Hungary’s authorities on the country’s institutions, including the central bank. And he stressed that despite some signs of stability, the eurozone economy continues to face high uncertainty…
“The unemployment rate in the euro area now is creeping toward 10.3%. So job creation is first and foremost one of the main objectives of economic policy and should be such in all countries.”
The interest rate hold was widely anticipated and caused only ripples on the markets. Oliver Roth is a trader in Frankfurt…
“The ECB already has done a lot. They’ve lowered interest rates twice in the last couple of weeks, so I guess that they try to save their decision-making for further problems concerning the slowing economy in 2012, and I guess this is the right strategy.”
Draghi also welcomed news from Greece that private sector creditors would be involved in the second Greek bailout. Greece’s Finance Minister has been meeting bank representatives in Athens to discuss a voluntary bonds swap to lighten the country’s debt burden.
Related Topics: Economy and Politics, Market Analysis
