ECB prepares to raise rates in July
As expected, the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, meeting Thursday in Frankfurt, has left unchanged its interest rates. However Jean-Claude Trichet sought to prepare the minds of an increase in July. "Overall, the risks to price stability are on the upside, and a strong vigilance is therefore warranted," said the president of the ECB at the press conference that followed. In the coded language of Frankfurt, a "strong vigilance" is the conventional signal to indicate a rate hike next month."Right now we still believe that the July increase will last (this year)," said Jonathan Loynes, however, the chief economist for Europe of Capital Economics.
Jean-Claude Trichet has not sought to exaggerate the danger of inflation: "The upward pressure on inflation (is) mainly due to energy prices and raw materials," he admitted. Markets have noted that the ECB had not raised its forecast of rising consumer prices for 2012, which remain in the range of 1.1% to 2.3%. This status quo, compared to previous estimates of last March, has contributed to a decline of the euro vis-à-vis the dollar.
In terms of economic growth forecasts have been revised slightly upwards for 2011 (from 1.5% to 2.3%), the range for 2012 is particularly large (between 0.6% and 2.8 %)."Uncertainty remains high," commented Jean-Claude Trichet installment payday loans.
No "default"
It was also expected on Greece, "after the procession of contradictory statements from finance ministers, who have unfortunately contributed to widen interest rate spreads on sovereign debt in the euro area in recent weeks," regrets a market economy. The ECB President was extremely strong. "It would be a great mistake" than engaging in a debt restructuring, "he insisted. "Our position is clear and we served on European governments" no "credit event", no "default". The ECB considers that Greece would be closed permanently while the financing markets.
"We exclude any participation of private creditors who would not volunteer (from them), he only conceded.He however refused to say what would the ECB on securities it has in its balance sheet (between 60 and 70 billion euros), if private investors decided to extend the maturity of their claims.
In a less dramatic, the college of 27 governors took action on the succession of its chairman, in the form of a statement. "The governors did not Councilof objectionable to the proposed candidate, Mario Draghi, who is a person of recognized standing and professional experience in monetary or banking matters."