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The declaration of an end to quantitative easing (QE) purchases has not been the boon for the euro that might have been expected. Instead, the European Central Bank’s (ECB’s) determination to preserve its freedom of movement through a loose commitment to raise rates in the summer of 2019 has suggested that the dovish instinct remains strong.
Indeed, utterances from European central bankers since the recent ECB meeting have confirmed this dovish view. Ireland’s central bank governor, Philip Lane, has said that it is too soon to discuss the future rate hike path. While the data may improve in the next few months, it looks like the ECB is happy to stand still on monetary policy, preferring a ‘wait and see’ strategy for the time being.
Three things stand in the way of higher rates in the eurozone. Volatility across markets in the first few months of this year suggests that in the future we will have to expect further wild swings in financial assets, particularly equity markets, which are adjusting to the end of ultra-loose monetary policy and are also fearful of trade wars. Higher oil prices, which may not last due to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) wavering on output levels, also keep the ECB from acting. Even if oil turns lower, this will remove one prop for higher inflation, removing one argument for higher rates.
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