The ECB keeps interest rates at 2% for the fifth time as markets expect

The Governing Council of theEuropean Central Bank(ECB) has decided to maintain interest rates as of the last few months  without making changes to  this Thursday, so that thedeposit rate (DFR) will remain at 2%, the main refinancing operations (MRO) at 2.15% and the marginal loan facility (MLF) at 2.4%.

As the markets assumed, the ECB has decided to remain unchanged  after halting the relaxation cycle in June 2025, which reduced the priceof money by 200 basis points by eight downward adjustments, the last seven in a row.

"The Governing Council today decided to keep the ECB's three official interest rates unchanged. Its updated assessment confirms that inflation should stabilize at the 2% target in the medium term, "the institution explained in a statement.

However, the central bank has stressed that forecasts are "still uncertain"due to uncertainty related to trade wars and geopolitical tensions. The ECB has insisted that it is "determined"to stabilize inflation at the 2% target in the medium term, for which they will rely on data developments in decision-making.

The inflation rate in the euro area stood at 1.7% year-on-year in January, three tenths lower than the 2% figure in December, the lowest increase in the cost of living since September 2024.

Excluding the effect of energy , inflation fell by a tenth, to 2.3%. Excluding the cost of food, alcohol and tobacco , the lower one fell by a tenth, to 2.3%.

Among the EU countries, thelargest increases were in Slovakia (4.2%), Croatia(3.6%), Greeceand Lithuania(2.8%), while thelowest increases were in France (0.4%), Finlandand Italy(1%) and Belgium(1.4%).