The European Central Bank (ECB) is currently gathering data ahead of its final interest-rate decision of the year in December, according to Chief Economist Philip Lane. Markets are increasingly anticipating a rate hike, following signals from ECB officials.
While the ECB held borrowing costs steady last month, inflation surged to double the bank’s 2% target in October. Economic growth also showed resilience, with a 0.4% expansion in the third quarter.
Lane emphasized that the ECB is reviewing all incoming data before making its December decision. The combination of rising inflation and solid economic performance has strengthened the case for a potential rate increase.