Momentum builds for ECB to start cutting interest rates in June

Bundesbank head Joachim Nagel: Probability is increasing ECB could see an interest-rate cut before its summer break.  Picture: Britta Pedersen/POOL/ AFP

Momentum is building for the June interest-rate cut that European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde flagged on Thursday.

Speaking a day after the meeting, she stressed that additional data are needed before monetary easing can begin, and that “we will know a lot more in June”, policymakers echoed that prospect. A few, though, suggested a swifter move in April shouldn’t be completely ruled out.