ECB Leaves Rates Unchanged

The European Central Bank opted to leave its deposit rate unchanged at -0.5% on Thursday as unanimously expected. The bank maintained its guidance on interest rates, saying they would remain at present or lower levels until the conditions for a rate hike have been met. The bank also reaffirmed its QE policy guidance from December; that the PEPP will end in March, that in Q2 the APP will be lifted to EUR 40B per month, then tapered back to EUR 20B per month by Q4, while PEPP reinvestments will continue to the end of 2024. The bank also reaffirmed its guidance that QE purchase would end prior to any increases to interest rates.