Eurozone
ECB officials give conflicting signals on rate cut
Speaking separately this week two ECB Governing Council members gave conflicting views on what a fall in inflation below the ECB's 2 per cent target would mean for interest rates, according to Bloomberg report.
EC report casts doubt on eurozone benefits
The European Commission's spring forecast published on Tuesday 8 April said growth rates in euro member countries was lower than for EU members outside the single currency, the Financial Times reported.
ECB's Issing on eurozone growth
In testimony to the European Parliament Otmar Issing of the ECB said eurozone economic growth is expected to be only moderate this year, and inflation is forecast to fall below 2%, although developments continue to be overshadowed by the war in Iraq. He…
ECB's Issing downbeat on 'sluggish' euro growth
Speaking to the EU Parliament, the ECB 's chief economist, Otmar Issing observed that economic growth in the eurozone is expected to be 2% for the year, thoough this will put downward pressure on inflation, according to Reuters
ECB warns over property booms
REPORT - Analysis by the European Central Bank of the impact of house price rises contains a warning to the Bank of England over house price booms.
ECB plans for reform may run into problems
Plans to reform the European Central Bank, including cutting the voting power of smaller European Union member states, are expected to run into trouble this week. Some Finnish MPs claim Paavo Lipponen, their prime minister, assured them that the Bank of…
ECB concerned by eurozone growth prospects
The European Central Bank on Thursday fuelled speculation about a possible interest rate cut by highlighting concerns about growth across the eurozone area, although it reiterated its stance that its current monetary policy is "appropriate".
The politics of the Eurosystem
Constitutional discussions in Europe have steered clear of the ECB, but may yet impact on Europe’s only federal institution, argues Graham Bishop.
New directions for the ECB
Enlargement, a new president and a review of policy have far-reaching implications for Europe’s central bank, says Philip Lane.
A funny way to manage Europe's money
ARTICLE - This article looks at the potential for enlargement of the eurozone and its impact on the ECB's governing council. The author sees problems ahead saying that today's 18 member council is already too large and proposals for rotational voting…
Eurozone interest rates held steady at 2.75%
The European Central Bank on Thursday left interest rates in the eurozone unchanged following a half-point cut in December, despite a series of data which have suggested stuttering growth in the 12-nation bloc.
ECB chief welcomes strengthening euro
European Central Bank (ECB) president Wim Duisenberg on Thursday welcomed the recent rise in the value of the euro, and said he did not see it endangering the eurozone's competitiveness.
ECB must act now
ARTICLE - The article says the ECB must continue to ease interest rates soon to further boost the flagging eurozone economy as the possibility of deflation in Germany is a greater danger than inflation.
Garganas calls for ECB to change its rules
The eurozone's policy framework suffered a further blow when a leading central banker called for a key change in the way interest rates are set. The criticism comes after the ECB was forced to defend the stability and growth pact. However this time the…
Bundesbank chief sees chance of further rates
Despite the ECB's recent rate cut, Ernst Welteke, the Bundesbank president, said Monday that the European Central Bank still had some leeway on interest rates, although monetary conditions were already favourable for eurozone growth.
Bank of England has doubts on eurozone convergence
With the appointment of a widely seen 'eurosceptic' as the new governor of the Bank of England, the current incumbent Sir Edward George has raised doubts about Britain's economic convergence with the eurozone but stressed the comments were based on …
Euro rates slashed to boost growth
Mounting fears over the sluggish eurozone economy have prompted the European Central Bank (ECB) to cut its key interest rate by a half-point, to 2.75%. There have been strong hints in the weeks since the last meeting from governing council members that…
Eurozone inflation edges higher
The eurozone inflation rate rose a further point to 2.3 percent it was revealed on Monday. The ECB is not considered to be worried about inflation at the moment with Ernst Welteke recently saying the bank expected inflation would head downwards.
Rising Spanish inflation widens eurozone gap
SPAIN - Inflation jumped a full percentage point in October to a year-on-year rate of 4 per cent, widening the differential with other eurozone.
Eurozone inflation climbs to 2.2% in October
GERMANY - Inflation in the Eurozone continued to climb in October according to the estimate released on Thursday by Eurostat, the European Commission's Statistical Office.
IMF wants euro 'big 3' to tighten fiscal policy
US - The International Monetary Fund has weighed into the debate over the eurozone's stability and growth pact (SGP), arguing that the big three countries - Germany, France and Italy - should heed its message and make a concerted effort to tighten fiscal…
GCC asks EU for currency advice
ARTICLE - Six Arab Gulf states have turned to the eurozone for advice in how to successfully start a single currency by 2010.
Ministers see tough few months ahead for eurozone
DENMARK - European Union finance ministers ended talks in Copenhagen at the weekend contemplating a fraught few months for the eurozone economy.