- Prolonged conflict could lead to a “substantial spike” in inflation
- At the same time, it could also cause a “sharp drop in output” in the euro area
- Directionally, a jump in energy prices puts upward pressure on inflation especially in the near-term
- The magnitude of the shock heavily depends on “the breadth and duration of the conflict”
- But for the time being, “I think where we are now is OK” (when asked about policy stance)
- Barring any major shocks, euro area economy is “growing in the neighbourhood of its potential”
- Even when taking out any energy price volatility, inflation is still running above the 2% medium-term target
- “This is not an environment where I see an argument in favour of taking a bit of risk on inflation”
- Full transcript (may be gated)
His comments aren’t anything new I would say. Even when taking into account his views on the US-Iran conflict, the bottom line is that the ECB is rather comfortable on the sidelines for the time being. And it would take a rather massive and prolonged shock impact to get them to think otherwise in terms of policy setting.
As things stand, they are pausing on rate cuts and markets are concurring. Lane acknowledges that pricing and once again reaffirms that it is a fair assumption; all else being equal. And if there are short-term pressures to higher inflation as a result from the US-Iran conflict, one can also argue that the ECB will even more want to stick to where they are now.