At its monetary policy meeting held today, the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to leave the interest rates on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility unchanged at 0.00%, 0.25% and -0.40%, respectively. Attention now turns to the ECB President Mario Draghi's press conference at 12:30 GMT.
Key highlights from the official statement
- Governing Council expects key ECB rates to remain at present levels through H1 2020.
- Rates will remain like that until inflation reaches the goal.
- Will keep investing repayments from APP.
- Regarding the modalities of the new series of quarterly targeted longer-term refinancing operations (TLTRO III), the Governing Council decided that the interest rate in each operation will be set at a level that is 10 basis points above the average.
- For banks whose eligible net lending exceeds a benchmark, the rate applied in TLTRO III will be lower and can be as low as the average interest rate on the deposit facility prevailing over the life of the operation plus 10 basis points.
- TLTRO interest rate in each operation will be set at a level that is 10 basis points above the average rate applied in the Eurosystem’s main refinancing operations.
Related articles
ECB Preview: Major Banks expectations from June meeting.
Most of the researchers and economists are forecasting, that the ECB will likely remain on hold this month and offer few fireworks, while maintaining its easing bias. In addition, they are expecting further easing on the forward guidance side and a cautious tone on the TLTRO III terms.
ECB: Will Draghi surprise again? – Nordea Markets.
Jan von Gerich, analyst at Nordea Markets, expects that the ECB will extend its forward guidance, however markets are already pricing a clear probability of a further rate cut from the ECB hence it should not be a major market mover.
About ECB's press conference
Following the ECB´s economic policy decision, the ECB President gives a press conference regarding monetary policy. His comments may influence the volatility of EUR and determine a short-term positive or negative trend. His hawkish view is considered as positive, or bullish for the EUR, whereas his dovish view is considered as negative, or bearish.
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