Interest rates rise to 2.75 percent in Eurozone
As expected, the European Central Bank raised interest rates in the Eurozone on Thursday. The rate rise was by 25 basis points ti 2.75 percent. Some analysts had speculated earlier in the week that it would hike rates by 50 basis points, but sentiment had turned to an expectation of the smaller rise in rates as the Bank’s meeting drew nearer.
Data contributing to the decision to raise rates included consumer price inflation that was up 2.5 percent in May, above the ECB’s target of below 2 percent. Consumer price inflation had been up by 2.4 percent in May and by 2.2 percent in March. In addition, producer price inflation was up to 5.4 percent in April, with core inflation up by 2.2 percent.
The circumstances that kept the Bank from issuing a 50 bp increase included fears that the recovery in the Eurozone’s economy could be too dependent on growth in export-focused sectors and that domestic growth could stall if money is tightened too much or too quickly. In addition, a 50 bp hike could have strengthened the euro, which would have sent the dollar-cost of exports up. Also, the International Monetary Fund said that the region’s economy could not support too high a rate hike.