ECB predicted to deliver first rate cut this spring despite pushing back against market bets 

ECB officials signalled the chance of a move around mid-year, when they’ll know more about inflation, wages and the stuttering economy

European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde. Next week's ECB press release expected to be 'a copy-and-paste job from December'.

The European Central Bank will deliver its first interest reduction in the spring even as central bankers push back against financial markets betting on an early-year cut, a leading consultancy has predicted. 

Capital Economics said data evidence "hasn't changed enough" for ECB president Christine Lagarde to soften her stance against early rate cuts in the first half of the year when the governing council gathers in Frankfurt next week, but the consultancy predicts the bank will "nonetheless" cut in the second quarter.