Thursday, 3 April 2014

Sound bites: ECB chooses words rather than action

The ECB has missed another prime opportunity to ease policy again. Easier policy is long overdue. The Eurozone economy has been crying out for greater monetary stimulus for a long while. The economy is sliding towards deflation. Unemployment is close to a record high at 12%. And the recovery is flagging. Weaker parts of the Eurozone could easily slide back into recession. Easier policy will help to take the edge off the strong euro, providing a vital boost to the export sector. It looks like the ECB has failed to learn the error of its ways. It has slipped back into a cautious vein, preferring to wait and see, when the economy really needs some proactive policy response. It is pointless the ECB talking and hinting easier policy ahead and not coming up with the goods. It smacks of indecision. It is even more of a wasted opportunity as the Bundesbank has provided really clear signals that the ECB is good to go again with easing. It looks like the ECB will drag things out to the last minute at the recovery’s expense.

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