ECB may halt interest rate rises

HOMEOWNERS are likely to hear some welcome news today with the European Central Bank (ECB) tipped to indicate it will put a halt to more interest rate hikes for now.

Ernst & Young said it expects the ECB will tone down its “hawkish stance” at its meeting today and signal that rates will remain on hold at 1.5% for at least a few months.

Many analysts said the ECB is unlikely to signal any cut in rates at the moment, but Ernst & Young& said there is a risk that the eurozone will fall back into recession and if this is the case, the ECB should then consider cutting rates to below 1%.