MNI BRIEF: Balanced Outlook on Vaccine, Infections: Lagarde​​

The current outlook is clearly a case of 'on the the one hand, but on the other', President Christine Lagarde said Thursday, pointing to a pick-up in the roll out of the vaccines but at the same time, a continuing issue with infections and lockdowns. Lagarde did not directly address whether the outlook would allow a slowing of PEPP purchases in Q3,, saying any phasing out of purchases would be premature.

She noted the rise in the euro but again said the ECB did not target any particular level for the currency, but said policymakers would continue to monitor the rate in as much as it impacts inflation.