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22 Apr 2016
ECB: Draghi holds steady and bats off criticism - ANZ
Research Team at ANZ, notes that the ECB left policy unchanged overnight, with Draghi reiterating in his introductory remarks that the Governing Council “if warranted to achieve its objective, will act by using all the instruments available within its mandate” and that interest rates will be at “present or lower levels for an extended period of time”.
Key Quotes
“The retention of a clear easing bias was expected, although it admittedly still didn’t stop the euro from initially rallying sharply post decision, perhaps as Draghi signalled that while he is prepared to do more, he isn’t in a lot of hurry to act. He also didn’t attempt to talk down the euro as aggressively as perhaps some had been thinking he might have done ahead of the decision (the euro later fell back sharply, although the driver of that was less clear and broader than just a euro movement).
Draghi spent some time batting away or responding to criticism of the ECB’s previous actions. Draghi emphasised that the March measures need to be given time to work and that financial conditions had eased since March and were supporting the recovery. And with regard to specific criticism from Germany, Draghi stated “We have a mandate to pursue price stability for the whole of the Eurozone, not just Germany…This mandate is established by the treaty, by the law. We obey the law, not the politicians, because we are independent as stated by law”.”
Key Quotes
“The retention of a clear easing bias was expected, although it admittedly still didn’t stop the euro from initially rallying sharply post decision, perhaps as Draghi signalled that while he is prepared to do more, he isn’t in a lot of hurry to act. He also didn’t attempt to talk down the euro as aggressively as perhaps some had been thinking he might have done ahead of the decision (the euro later fell back sharply, although the driver of that was less clear and broader than just a euro movement).
Draghi spent some time batting away or responding to criticism of the ECB’s previous actions. Draghi emphasised that the March measures need to be given time to work and that financial conditions had eased since March and were supporting the recovery. And with regard to specific criticism from Germany, Draghi stated “We have a mandate to pursue price stability for the whole of the Eurozone, not just Germany…This mandate is established by the treaty, by the law. We obey the law, not the politicians, because we are independent as stated by law”.”