17:46 - 27.08.2026

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August 27, 2026, Fineko/abc.az. According to the accounts of the European Central Bank's (ECB) July 22–23 meeting, some officials backed a rate hike last month, arguing that a scenario requiring no further tightening remained unlikely. However, all members agreed to support keeping key policy rates unchanged due to elevated uncertainties surrounding persistent inflation.

With Eurozone inflation hovering near 3%—well above the ECB's 2% target—and economic growth exceeding forecasts, market expectations point toward additional rate hikes. Executive Board member Isabel Schnabel warned that Middle East conflicts and surprisingly robust growth fuel upside inflation risks, calling for further tightening. Conversely, Piero Cipollone cautioned against over-tightening to protect economic activity. The main deposit rate currently stands at 2.25%, with Chief Economist Philip Lane noting that 2.5% marks the upper bound of the neutral range.