MNI BRIEF: Inflation Risks Now "More Balanced" - ECB's Lagarde
The ECB is likely to raise rates by 50bps again in March, Christine Lagarde says.
Eurozone inflation risks are more balanced and prices may trend lower if lower energy prices persist, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said on Thursday, noting the further decline in harmonised inflation to an estimated 8.5% in January from 9.2% in December.
While wages are growing faster than some expected, supported by a robust labour market as workers seek to regain lost purchasing power, she commented that this data so far has been broadly in line with December's Eurosystem staff expectations.
Inflation remains significantly above target, with persistent risks to the upside, Lagarde said, stressing that policymakers were aware there is still more to be done, with a large consensus around an intended 50bps hike in March.