MNI BRIEF: ECB "Will Have A Lot More Data" By June - Lagarde
ECB President Lagarde says Governing Council will have more data to discuss by April, but far more data in June.
The European Central Bank will have more information available to it in April as it considers a potential shift in policy, but it there is a "broad agreement that we will have a lot more data available in June," ECB President Christine Lagarde said on Thursday.
The current data is "directionally good", but more is needed to ensure durability, Lagarde said, adding that policymakers did not necessarily have to wait until inflation hits 2% "to take a decision."
The ECB earlier left interest rates unchanged, saying policy would continue to follow a data-dependent approach to determining the appropriate level and duration of monetary restriction. (See MNI SOURCES: ECB Cut Expectations Range From 50-100BP In 2024)