ECB: ECB Speak Wrap (Apr 17 – May 20)
For the full publication, which contains a comprehensive summary of ECBspeak since the April decison, see here: 250520 - ECB Speak Wrap.pdf
The balance of ECBspeak since the April decision clearly leans in favour of another 25bp cut on June 5, with the bank’s reaction function still dominated by downside growth risks even after the partial rollback of US/China tariffs. Progress on an EU-US trade deal remains limited, and the April acceleration in services inflation is expected to be temporary. That leaves markets pricing a terminal rate of ~1.70% by early 2026, slightly below the lower bound of the ECB’s heavily caveated neutral rate range.
- Overall, the broad strokes of the MNI Policy Team’s sources piece on April 29 remain prescient: While there is broad consensus among European Central Bank policymakers that U.S. tariffs will exert downward pressure on inflation for the short term at least, hawks warn that June’s meeting will see lively debate despite a general expectation that it will result in a cut.
Want to read more?
Find more articles and bullets on these widgets:
Historical bullets
CARNEY ELECTION PLATFORM HAS CAD225B OF DEFICITS OVER FOUR YRS
- CARNEY ELECTION PLATFORM HAS CAD225B OF DEFICITS OVER FOUR YRS
- CARNEY SEES 2025-26 BUDGET DEFICIT OF CAD62.3B OR 2% OF GDP
- CARNEY PLANS TO REACH 2% NATO TARGET BEFORE 2030
- CARNEY SEES NEW CAD10B ANNUAL PLAN FOR GREEN TRANSITION BONDS
LOOK AHEAD: Eurozone Timeline of Key Events (Times BST)
| Date | Time | Country | Event |
| 25-Apr | 0745 | FR | Manufacturing Sentiment |
| 29-Apr | 0700 | DE | GFK Consumer Climate |
| 29-Apr | 0800 | ES | HICP (p) / GDP |
| 29-Apr | 0900 | EU | M3 / Consumer Expectations Survey |
| 29-Apr | 0900 | IT | ISTAT Confidence Indices |
| 29-Apr | 1000 | EU | Consumer Confidence, Industrial Sentiment |
| 30-Apr | 0630 | FR | GDP (p) / Consumer Spending |
| 30-Apr | 0700 | DE | Import/Export Prices / Retail Sales |
| 30-Apr | 0745 | FR | HICP (p) / PPI |
| 30-Apr | 0855 | DE | Unemployment |
| 30-Apr | 0900 | DE | GDP (p) / State level CPI |
| 30-Apr | 0900 | IT | GDP (p) |
| 30-Apr | 1000 | EU | GDP preliminary flash est. |
| 30-Apr | 1000 | IT | HICP (p) |
| 30-Apr | 1100 | IT | PPI |
| 30-Apr | 1300 | DE | HICP (p) |
JGBS: Twist-Steepener Holds Going Into W/E, BoJ Gov Ueda Reiterates Caution
JGB futures are stronger, +18 compared to settlement levels, sitting near the middle of the range after a choppy session.
- “Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterates his stance that the central bank will carefully monitor if its economic outlook will be realized, accounting for the effects of US tariff measures, without preconception. The BoJ will raise the benchmark rate if the outlook is realized, Ueda says in response to questions in parliament.” (per BBG)
- “Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance Co. plans to invest in Japan's super-long government bonds this fiscal year after their yields skyrocketed. The company aims to increase domestic government bond holdings by ¥30 billion, with gross purchases potentially reaching ¥300-400 billion.” (per BBG)
- Earlier today, Headline CPI for March showed +3.6% y/y versus +3.7% estimate. Core and Core-Core printed +3.2% y/y and +2.9% y/y, respectively, versus estimates of +3.2% and +2.9% and priors +3.0% and +2.6%.
- Cash US tsys are closed today for the Good Friday holiday.
- Cash JGBs have twist-steepened, pivoting at the 20-year, with yields 2bps lower to 5bps higher.
- Swap rates are 2bps lower to 2bps higher, with a steepening bias.
- On Monday, the local calendar will see Tokyo Condominiums for Sale data.
