The European Central Bank cut interest rates on Thursday and policymakers guided for a further reduction in March as concerns over lacklustre economic growth supersede worries about persistent inflation.

The European Central Bank on Thursday cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, saying it expects inflation to fall back to its target later in the year and signaling that further easing is likely in coming months.

Germany’s inflation rate declined unexpectedly this month, though remains above the target of the European Central Bank, which this week cut its key interest rate. Consumer prices were 2.3% higher in January than the first month of 2024,

European Central Bank policymakers backed further policy easing on Friday just a day after the bank's fourth straight rate cut, despite fresh surveys pointing to continued inflation momentum. The ECB cut interest rates to 2.

Fri, 31st, – CET DE German prelim CPI. Fri, 31st, 14:30 CET CA Gross domestic product. Fri, 31st, 14:30 CET US Core PCE price index.

The European Central Bank cut interest rates again on Thursday after separate data showed economic stagnation, led by contraction in Germany and France.

French inflation was stable at the beginning of the year, figures showed Friday, a day after the European Central Bank again lowered its key interest rates amid a eurozone economy going nowhere fast.

The European Central Bank lowered borrowing costs for a fifth time since June and while policymakers are confident the 2% inflation target is in reach, they are concerned about the euro zone’s stalling economy.

Traders grew more confident on Thursday that the European Central Bank would deliver three more rate cuts this year, as weak growth data followed by the bank's latest rate reduction highlighted the need for more easing.