The European Central Bank (ECB) maintained its three key policy interest rates unchanged in line with market expectations during its second monetary policy meeting of the year.
The European Central Bank (ECB) announced on Thursday that it will maintain its three main policy interest rates at their current levels, aligning with market anticipations.
Rates for the main refinancing operations, marginal lending facility, and deposit facility will stay at 4.5%, 4.75%, and 4%, as per the bank's statement.
This decision marks the fourth consecutive monetary policy meeting where the rates have remained stable, following a period of rate increases from July 2022 until September 2023.
The bank observed a further decline in inflation since its last Governing Council meeting in January.
February's Eurozone annual consumer inflation decreased to 2.6%, based on the most recent data from Eurostat.
For the coming years, the bank has set its inflation projections at 2.3% for 2024, 2% for 2025, and 1.9% for 2026, noting a downward revision for 2024 primarily due to a reduced impact from energy prices.