REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - The European Central Bank's interest rates have reached a plateau where they will likely remain for the next few quarters, ECB policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau said on Monday, dismissing rate cut talk as premature.
The ECB broke a streak of 10 consecutive hikes last month by holding rates steady, prompting investors to turn their attention to when rate cuts could come.
The ECB aims to steer euro zone inflation towards its 2% target by 2025, though Villeroy insisted the number was an average and he was not fixated on hitting 2.0% precisely.
Euro zone inflation has fallen quickly in recent months as the economy has slowed, though Villeroy said a recession could be avoided and a "soft landing" seemed more likely.
($1 = 0.9168 euros)Reporting by David Milliken, writing by Leigh Thomas, editing by Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Francois Villeroy de Galhau, Sarah Meyssonnier, Villeroy, David Milliken, Leigh Thomas, Christina Fincher
Organizations:
France, Bank of France, REUTERS, ECB, Society of Professional, Thomson
Locations:
Paris, France, French, London, Gaza, Israel