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Added on the 25/01/2024 15:45:03 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde says the institution will freeze borrowing costs again on Thursday but warns that inflation could pick up again in the near term, in an apparent pushback against market hopes of early rate cuts in 2024. It is the second time in a row the central bank has held rates, following a run of historic hikes to tame runaway price rises. SOUNDBITE
The European Central Bank unleashes another jumbo interest rate hike on the eurozone in an effort to combat record-high inflation, which has soared towards 10 per cent, and bring rising prices under control. The decision has been made despite concerns mounting over a darkening economic outlook. "With this third major policy rate increase in a row" says Christine Lagarde, ECB President, "we have made substantial progress in withdrawing monetary policy accommodation." SOUNDBITE
The US Federal Reserve holds interest rates at a 23-year high. "Today, the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) decided to leave our policy interest rate unchanged and to continue to reduce our securities holdings," announces US Fed Chair Jerome Powell. SOUNDBITE
Eurozone inflation "dropped markedly" in September but is still expected to remain "too high for too long", European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde tells the press in Athens, whilst announcing that the ECB was holding interest rates steady. Policymakers had raised rates at each of their last 10 meetings as they sought to rein in soaring inflation driven in large part by surging energy prices in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. SOUNDBITE
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde says Eurozone inflation is slowing but is still expected to be "too high for too long", as the ECB raises interest rates for the ninth consecutive time. SOUNDBITE