ECB holds rates, predicts 2.6% inflation for 2026
Lagarde presents gloomy outlook for eurozone inflation and growth as energy prices spike
The European Central Bank’s governing council held interest rates today (March 19).
The ECB’s policy rate, the main refinancing operations rate, will stay at 2.15%, with the deposit facility rate set to 2% and the marginal lending facility rate staying at 2.4%.
The bank’s president Christine Lagarde presented the decision at a press conference, where she said the Middle East conflict was likely to push up average headline inflation to 2.6% in 2026, 2% in 2027 and 2.1% in 2028.
She said today’s
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