European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Pierre Wunsch said in a Reuters interview that “barring major negative surprises, ECB has room for a second rate cut.”
Additional quotes
"A small deviation from the projections would not change this view dramatically."
“Subsequent moves should only come once ECB has confidence that inflation is moving towards 2%.”
Market reaction
As of writing, EUR/USD is losing 0.09% on the day to trade near 1.0730, awaiting the Eurozone preliminary inflation readings for a fresh impetus.
ECB FAQs
The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy for the region. The ECB primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means keeping inflation at around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is by raising or lowering interest rates. Relatively high interest rates will usually result in a stronger Euro and vice versa. The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde.
In extreme situations, the European Central Bank can enact a policy tool called Quantitative Easing. QE is the process by which the ECB prints Euros and uses them to buy assets – usually government or corporate bonds – from banks and other financial institutions. QE usually results in a weaker Euro. QE is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the objective of price stability. The ECB used it during the Great Financial Crisis in 2009-11, in 2015 when inflation remained stubbornly low, as well as during the covid pandemic.
Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse of QE. It is undertaken after QE when an economic recovery is underway and inflation starts rising. Whilst in QE the European Central Bank (ECB) purchases government and corporate bonds from financial institutions to provide them with liquidity, in QT the ECB stops buying more bonds, and stops reinvesting the principal maturing on the bonds it already holds. It is usually positive (or bullish) for the Euro.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD stays weak below 1.0750 ahead of EU inflation data
EUR/USD is trading pressured below 1.0750, halting its three-day winning streak on Tuesday. The extended US Dollar recovery coupled with a softer risk tone undermines the pair, as traders brace for EU inflation data, US jobs report and Fed Chair Powell's speech later in the day.
GBP/USD remains confined in a range near 1.2650 ahead of key US events
GBP/USD stays defensive near 1.2650, extending its struggle early Tuesday. Bets for a BoE rate cut in August act as a headwind amid a modest US Dollar recovery. Traders prefer to wait on the sidelines ahead of the US jobs data and Fed Chair Powell's appearance.
Gold confined to a range with bullish long-term prospects
Gold continues trading in a familiar range within the $2,320-$2,330s, just below the 50-day SMA on Tuesday, amid Futures’ traders “short-covering”, as well as “bargain hunting” by longer-term investors, according to Kitco’s Jim Wyckoff.
Polkadot price primed for upside surge following descending trendline breakout
Polkadot broke out from a descending trendline on Monday, marking a 1.5% increase to $6.42 on Tuesday. Potential buyers on the sidelines eyeing opportunities can consider accumulating DOT between $5.41 and $5.72.
Eurozone Inflation Preview: Price pressures expected to ease after May bounce Premium
Eurostat will release crucial European inflation data on Tuesday. Headline inflation is expected to recede in June. Uncertainty prevails regarding future rate cuts by the ECB.