EURUSD: ECB revised the interest rate forecast. Mario Draghi is pleased with the growth of the economy in the 1st quarter, but fears for its future
The euro ignored data on the growth of the eurozone economy in the 1st quarter of this year, as traders closely followed the ECB report. Even despite the fact that the expected dates for raising interest rates in the eurozone were shifted to the middle of next year, and Mario Draghi signaled a possible decrease in interest rates to a negative level if necessary, the euro held its position and even rose against the US dollar.
According to the report, a good increase in consumer spending in the euro area in the 1st quarter of this year contributed to accelerating economic growth. Export has also made a significant contribution.
According to the EU statistics agency, the eurozone economy grew by 0.4% in the 1st quarter of this year compared to the 4th quarter. Compared with the 1st quarter of 2018, the economy grew by 1.2%. In annual terms, an increase of 1.6%.
However, it is already known from the results of the latest reports that in the 2nd quarter of this year, GDP growth slows down, and, as many experts expect, growth will be the weakest since the beginning of economic recovery in 2014.
As I noted above, the attention of traders was focused on the ECB meeting, at which the regulator left the refinancing rate unchanged, at the level of 0.0%. The European Central Bank left the deposit rate unchanged at -0.40%.
The central bank revised its forecast, saying that rates would remain at current levels, at least until the end of the first half of 2020. The ECB will continue to completely reinvest the income from the QE program over a long period after the first rate increase.
A new TLTRO program was also announced, according to which targeted long-term loans for banks will be offered at a rate of 10 bp above the average refinancing rate.
The euro rose during the speech of the ECB President Mario Draghi, although the statements made by in principal were negative.
Draghi noted that he is closely following how monetary policy affects banks, and is ready to act. If necessary, the ECB will adjust monetary policy instruments. As for the extension of the forecast period of saving rates, it was quite expected due to the long-term uncertainty, which is now observed in the global economy. First of all, uncertainty is associated with conflicts in international trade and changes in the policies of central banks. Draghi also said that the ECB may lower interest rates if necessary.
As for the economy, the head of the ECB is confident that, despite the stronger growth in eurozone GDP in the 1st quarter of this year, the difficulties in the world still put pressure on the prospects for further growth, and the data indicate a slightly weaker growth in the economy 2nd and 3rd blocks.
ECB economists forecast GDP growth in 2019 by 1.2% against the previous forecast of growth of 1.1%, while in 2020 it is expected to grow by 1.4% against the previous forecast of growth by 1.6%.
The ECB president is confident that the increase in employment and wage growth will continue to support the eurozone economy, but the threat of protectionism and geopolitical factors will slow it down.
Analysis are provided byInstaForex.
