
The British monthly GDP is announced on Friday at 09:00 MT time.
On Thursday, January 23, the ECB announced the interest rate at 0%. So it remained unchanged, as expected by observers. The ECB President Christine Lagarde gave a press conference shortly after, to shed some light on inner workings of the bank and the ideas behind the current policy. However, there was not much take note on. The tone in which Christine Lagarde spoke during the press-conference was clear, confident and straightforward – as usual. The message, however, was not so, not to say contradictory. Below are some points for consideration following her speech. In fact, consideration is almost the only thing that’s left for an observer after listening to the ECB President.
So the interest rate was kept at 0%, quite expectedly. No news here. One of the main questions around the ECB’s actions is the quantitative easing policy. Specifically, how long it will be exercised. Christine Lagarde said nothing specific, but insisted on keeping the same direction “as long as necessary”. The objective is to “maintain favorable liquidity conditions”.
The ECB President didn’t give many comments about the inflation either. At least, nothing new that would substantially change the impression we have on the bank’s view towards inflation. Journalists asked if she would consider in theory revising the target 2% in favor of a band, but she discarded any specific “suggestions” that would question the legitimacy of the current approach to inflation.
Answering one of the questions from the audience, Christine Lagarde said that the ECB has launched a review of the monetary strategy in place. And by December 2020, she informed, it would be reasonable to expect the review to be concluded. However, similar to the way she commented on other areas of activity, she did not disclose any specifics and did not share any personal impression of the coming changes: “I do have my views… but my mission is to harness all the views around”. The only certainty is that this review will include all areas of ECB’s functioning, from monetary maneuvers to the way of communication.
It seems this year starts in the “wait and watch” mode. It is specifically applicable to the outlook given by Christine Lagarde. Let’s see then. Stay updated with FBS.
The British monthly GDP is announced on Friday at 09:00 MT time.
The main market tendency today is that the US dollar is rising against its major peers and riskier assets such as stocks and oil are plummeting.
The US unemployment claims are out on Thursday at 15:30 MT time.
The European Central Bank will publish the monetary policy statement with the interest rate decision on January 21, at 14:45 MT time.
Joe Biden is going to unveil a Covid-19 relief package of about $2 trillion. After this announcement, the 10-year Treasury yield rose, adding support for the USD.
The US dollar’s weakness offered a boost to emerging-market currencies and oil.
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