Finance: Ecb news in Portugal

Amidst another dilemma, ECB likely to decide that waiting is best

Once again under the threat of stagflation, central banks prefer to wait

Analysts do not rule out another interest rate hike by the ECB

The European Central Bank (ECB) raised interest rates by 25 basis points this Thursday, signaling that fighting inflation remains its top priority despite economic costs. Analysts from Xtb, Generali AM, and Julius Baer discuss the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on future policy, with some expecting further hikes in September or July, while others like Ebury suggest the ECB may be more cautious. The ECB has adopted a 'meeting-by-meeting' approach as it monitors energy prices and inflation, with rates now at 2.25%.

ECB prioritises inflation fight and analysts admit new interest rate hike in 2026

The next ECB monetary policy meeting will take place between 22 and 23 July in Frankfurt.

Lagarde full of caution, does not confirm the start of an interest rate hike cycle

The European Central Bank raised its benchmark interest rate to 2.25% this Thursday, the first increase since September 2023. However, during the press conference, President Christine Lagarde refused to confirm that this marks the beginning of a new cycle of interest rate hikes.

Finance Minister disagrees with ECB interest rate hike

The Finance Minister said in Luxembourg, upon arriving at the Eurogroup, that the Middle East crisis “is different from 2022” and that the ECB could have avoided raising rates.

14:00 European Central Bank raises interest rates

The European Central Bank has announced an increase in interest rates as of 2:00 PM.

Even if the war ended today, all signs point to a third interest rate hike by the end of the year

European Central Bank governors agreed this Thursday on a 25-basis-point interest rate hike in the Eurozone, setting the benchmark rate at 2.25%. Vasco Rosendo, Economics editor at CNN Portugal, considers this 'bad news' for consumers' pockets.

Sarmento disagrees with the ECB: Interest rate hike “was not absolutely necessary”

The Finance Minister stated this Thursday that the interest rate hike announced by the European Central Bank (ECB) due to inflationary pressures from the war in the Middle East “was not absolutely necessary”, noting it is a “different crisis from that of 2022”. “Naturally, there is concern from the European Central Bank. The ECB, which took action very...

Miranda Sarmento criticises ECB interest rate hike: 'It was not absolutely necessary'

Finance Minister says the current crisis is 'different from 2022'

Lagarde rejects “preventive” interest rate hike. “It is a necessary signal given the uncertainty”

Christine Lagarde rejected the idea that the European Central Bank (ECB) raised interest rates “preventively”. On the contrary, the institution's president stated: “It is a signal and it is necessary given the current economic situation, the uncertainty, and the outlook for inflation”. In a press conference following the council...

Rate at 2.25%. ECB raises interest rates by 25 basis points for the first time since 2023

The European Central Bank (ECB) decided today to raise interest rates by 25 basis points to 2.25%, in what was the first increase in key rates in almost three years, since September 2023.

📹 Lagarde explains ECB interest rate hike. Follow live

After a year, the European Central Bank (ECB) has raised interest rates again to curb a new surge in inflation in the Eurozone due to the war in Iran. President Christine Lagarde is explaining the decision live and will also address the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East on the economy. Follow along...

ECB cuts Eurozone growth projection and sees inflation climbing to 3% this year

The European Central Bank (ECB) is more pessimistic about the impact of the war in Iran on the economy and revised downwards its economic growth forecasts for the Eurozone this Thursday, while revising inflation forecasts upwards, pointing to a rate of 3% this year. The ECB's benchmark projections, released in the statement on...

Interest rate hike brings a "new squeeze" - especially for "lower-income families"

The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to raise interest rates again this Thursday in an attempt to control the inflationary pressure being felt in the eurozone. Vítor Costa, executive editor at CNN Portugal, analyses what the increase means in practical terms.

European stock markets open in positive territory awaiting ECB decision

At 08:30 in Lisbon, the EuroStoxx 600 was up 0.44% to 620.89 points.

Interest rate hike. "It is a monetary policy error"

The ECB is expected to raise interest rates to 2.25% today. Economist Filipe Garcia also states that “there is an increasingly smaller market reaction” to the attacks between the United States and Iran.

ECB prepares interest rate hike following new inflationary wave

The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to end a period of unchanged interest rates this Thursday and resume monetary tightening with a 25 basis point (bp) increase, driven by re-emerging inflationary pressures in the eurozone. The energy shock linked to the conflict in the Middle East has pushed prices higher, despite signs of slowing economic activity. With key interest rates currently at 2.15%, the ECB had already left open the possibility of a hike at the April meeting. Between March and May, inflation rose from 2.6% to 3.2%—the highest level since September 2023—and core inflation stood at 2.5% in May, 0.3 percentage points above the bank's March projections. These data reinforce the case for an immediate adjustment. Various institutes and managers share the expectation of a 25 bp hike. Pantheon Macro highlights the increase in services (3.5% in May) and non-energy industrial goods, concluding that these trends justify the move. Allianz Global Investors and Generali Investments also anticipate a rise to 2.25%, expecting President Christine Lagarde to keep the possibility of further hikes open if inflation prospects do not improve. Oxford Economics forecasts up to three 25 bp hikes this year in a scenario of persistent price pressure, but admits that falling energy prices or a sharper economic deterioration would make this timeline unlikely. Analysts stress that the June intervention will primarily serve a credibility purpose: to anchor expectations and prevent successive supply shocks from crystallizing into more durable inflation, which would later require steeper rate hikes. At the same time, the ECB faces the classic dilemma of curbing inflation without deepening an economic slowdown already visible in several indicators. ECB: The first interest rate hike in three years must happen now because inflation has breached the 3% barrier.

ECB decides on interest rates this Thursday, with a 25 basis point hike expected

The ECB's monetary policy meeting began on Wednesday and concludes this Thursday, with an update on economic forecasts also being monitored.

Interest rate hike on the way: the reasons weighing on the ECB's decision

The monetary authority wants to ensure that consumers and businesses continue to believe that inflation will return to 2%. The risk lies in the cost that an interest rate hike may bring to the economy.

ECB between a rock and a hard place and the instalment of discord

The ECB meeting is expected to bring a rate hike. The ECB is caught between inflation and the economy. In Portugal, the single social benefit is being discussed. And there is a multi-million dollar operation on Wall Street.

The almost certain interest rate hike anticipated by the markets

In addition to the money market and investors, several governors who have spoken in recent weeks also advocate for a 0.25 percentage point interest rate increase by the ECB.

Croatian Boris Vujcic assumes vice-presidency of the ECB

The Council decided to appoint the former governor of the Croatian central bank to a non-renewable eight-year term, replacing Luis de Guindos. Mário Centeno was among the candidates.

Boris Vujcic assumes vice-presidency of the ECB

The Croatian succeeds the Spaniard Luis de Guindos following a decision by the European Council.

ECB warns that a sharp correction could threaten the stability of European financial markets

Financial markets in the eurozone continue to evolve in an 'orderly' manner but remain exposed to a potential 'sharp correction' should currently favourable scenarios be disproven, the European Central Bank (ECB) warned today. Recent developments in public and private debt markets have remained orderly, with contained interest rate spreads, though this masks underlying fragilities in an uncertain geopolitical and budgetary context, ECB Vice-President Luis de Guindos noted during the presentation of the institution's semi-annual financial stability report. Bond yields are currently rising in the eurozone, reflecting increased investor risk premiums and a return of inflation fears, which is putting pressure on finances. Investors are betting on a cooling of geopolitical tensions, controlled inflation, and the avoidance of a recession in the eurozone. However, Luis de Guindos warned that this could change. Asset valuations remain high by historical standards, leaving markets vulnerable to a brutal correction, he insisted, while highlighting the resilience of the European banking system to shocks over the last decade. Despite the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, energy sector tensions, the US regional banking crisis, and the collapse of Credit Suisse, no serious financial stability incidents occurred in the eurozone. Nevertheless, the war in the Middle East could increase market volatility and complicate debt servicing amid rising financing costs and weaker growth. The ECB also pointed to a potential war in Iran as a primary risk to financial stability.

Luís de Guindos calls for a "cool head" in the face of calm investors underestimating risks

In his final hearing at the European Parliament as Vice-President of the ECB, Luís de Guindos warned that investors are discounting a “too benign” scenario, despite the risks to financial stability.