empty
22.09.2021 03:17 PM
Eurozone policymakers cautiously raise issue of stimulus cuts

The ECB Governing Council member, Madis Muller said that the European Central Bank would discuss increasing regular asset purchases after the pandemic came to an end. However, he doubted this increase.

While the euro zone's recovery should allow the ECB to end its 1.85 trillion-euro ($2.2 trillion) pandemic bond-buying program in March, officials will discuss how to avoid derailing the recovery when the support ends. According to Muller's interview in Tallinn, one option would be to expand the pre-crisis plan above the current 20 billion euros a month.

His remarks point to a potentially contentious debate that awaits policymakers, especially those who fear that a return to the pre-Covid system would hit heavily indebted countries that are not yet ready to function without ECB emergency support.

The Estonian central bank governor said that he became aware of problems arising in case there was an abrupt break at the end of the pandemic emergency purchasing program.

According to Madis Muller, the potential strengthening of the old quantitative easing program was a part of the discussion about how to phase out PEPP and what that would mean for asset purchases in the future. He noted that the decision would depend on market conditions the next spring and the economic outlook at that time.

This image is no longer relevant

Benchmark German bonds stopped declining shortly after the interview, with the 10-year yield traded slightly different about -0.32%.

This week Muller's Greek counterpart Yannis Stournaras warned against jumping to early conclusions about ending the crisis bailout. Stournaras stated it would be really arrogant to triumph.

Third parties have recently been optimistic about the eurozone's prospects. On Monday the ECB executive board member Isabel Schnabel mentioned that the recovery was on track. Besides, the ECB Vice President Luis de Guindos pointed to good results in the second and third quarters.

Muller said that with the given economic recovery and inflation outlook, and extremely favorable financing environment they still had the euro area and would be able to complete the PEPP in March as had been reported and planned. He added that he considered the most likely outcome as an ordinary one.

Like other members of the ECB Governing Council, he also noted that he was skeptical of the idea of revamping the old program to include more flexible features that helped the ECB soften the blow of the pandemic.

Madis Muller warned the ECB council members to be cautious as we could face some legal constraints. He thought that they could take the PEPP's flexibility and apply it to the previous asset purchase program. Muller added that policy would be suitable for that pandemic crisis situation.

As for inflation, the Estonian central bank governor mentioned he supported the view that prices would rise faster than the ECB's current projections indicate.

Madis Muller said that according to possible factors that could push prices up and those that could push prices down, the factors pushing prices up were stronger at the moment. He noted that it was likely to have inflation above 1.5% in 2023. He stated the same fact was probably true for the inflation forecast of 1.7% for 2022.

Egor Danilov,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

US stock market in red zone: Dow Jones – 0.4%, Nasdaq – 0.1%. Upbeat corporate reports do not save Wall Street

The US stock market closed Tuesday with minor losses, as uncertainty over trade duties continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Consumer and healthcare stocks were particularly affected, though strong earnings

11:38 2025-04-16 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for April 16

Wall Street ended the session in the red. Shares of giants Boeing and Johnson & Johnson took the biggest hit as uncertainty around tariff policy continues to weigh on investor

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:12 2025-04-16 UTC+2

Markets in the Red: Dow -0.4%, Nasdaq -0.1% as Strong Reports Fail to Save Wall Street

Bank of America Gains After Higher Q1 Earnings Uncertainty Over Tariff Outlook Still High Markets Ripple on U.S.-China Debate Indices: Dow Down 0.4%, S&P 500 Down 0.2%, Nasdaq Down 0.1%

Thomas Frank 07:54 2025-04-16 UTC+2

Apple soars. Stock investors alert to Netflix' report

US stocks are printing modest gains as tariffs on some electronic goods have been delayed. Tech stocks are outperforming European and Asian counterparts, with Apple shares jumping. Goldman Sachs

11:42 2025-04-15 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for April 15

The Trump administration has made concessions: tariffs on electronics have been temporarily lifted, and looser conditions for the auto industry are under consideration. These moves triggered a positive reaction —

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:29 2025-04-15 UTC+2

Apple surges, market freezes in anticipation of Netflix: what's happening in the US stock market

US stocks show modest gains as tariffs on some electronics are delayed Tech stocks outperform European and Asian ones, Apple shares jump Goldman Sachs rises after results More earnings expected

Thomas Frank 09:50 2025-04-15 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for April 14

The US stock market rallied after President Donald Trump announced the removal of tariffs on computers and smartphones. The decision delivered a particularly strong boost to companies such as Apple

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:09 2025-04-14 UTC+2

European chipmakers rejoice as US lifts stocks

A rally in tech stocks helped lift European shares on Monday after US President Donald Trump granted exemptions to Chinese tariffs on smartphones and computers, giving markets a break after

Thomas Frank 11:14 2025-04-14 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for April 11

After Wednesday's explosive rally triggered by President Donald Trump's announcement of a 90-day tariff pause, US markets on Thursday decided the party was premature. Major indices tumbled: the Dow dropped

Natalia Andreeva 15:28 2025-04-11 UTC+2

Rollercoaster: S&P 500 down 3%, gold hits all-time highs

US stocks fall after Wednesday's events, S&P 500 down 3% European and Asian stocks close higher after Trump suspends most tariffs Bond market rally stabilizes, gold prices hit all-time highs

Thomas Frank 09:44 2025-04-11 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.