European Central Bank policymakers held interest rates steady on Thursday, as they reiterated their cautious approach to cutting rates as inflation bumps around above the bank’s target.
Last month, policymakers cut the interest rate a quarter point, the first reduction in nearly five years and a tentative step toward easing.
Inflation in the eurozone has fallen a long way from its double-digit highs in late 2022, and policymakers are trying to ensure it returns to their 2 percent target sustainably.
Average inflation across the 20 countries that use the euro was 2.5 percent in June, slightly lower than it was in May but higher than in April.
“Inflation is expected to fluctuate around current levels for the rest of the year,” Christine Lagarde, the president of the European Central Bank, said at a news conference in Frankfurt.
Persons:
” Christine Lagarde
Organizations:
European Central Bank
Locations:
Frankfurt