Eurogroup's Juncker Highlights Growth Fears as ECB Holds Neutral Policy Stance

Eurogroup head Juncker assumes ECB will consider “all elements in rate decision”. Juncker said growth in the Euro-Zone and worldwide shows a clear downward trend, while inflation remains high, even though it has calmed down now a little. Juncker said “a government confronted with such a situation” as this “has two possible ways to act. Either government waits and sees what will happen or a government” acts. Juncker said earlier that Euro-Zone growth could fall below 1% next year and while the comments are not an open call for a rate cut tomorrow, they do suggest that pressure on the ECB to consider some monetary easing is building up.