South Korea GDP Surges on Chip and AI Boom 
Australia GDP Beats Forecast, Boosting RBA Rate Hike Bets 
Canada Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Take Effect 
Iraq Seeks 6 Million Bpd OPEC+ Oil Quota 
Oil Prices Rally as Brent Nears $100 on U.S.-Iran Escalation 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Korean Chipmakers Rally 
Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Assets as U.S. Tensions Escalate 
Japan GDP Growth Beats Forecast, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Bets 
China to Inject $45 Billion Into State Financial Institutions 
Gold Prices Rise as Yen Rally Weakens Dollar 
Japan, U.S. Stay Aligned on Yen as Currency Surges 
Iran Plans New Gulf Restricted Zone as Hormuz Tensions Push Oil Higher 
China Inflation Accelerates in August as CPI, PPI Rise 
China Set to Hold Benchmark Lending Rates Steady for 15th Month 
Add as a preferred source on Google
The European Central Bank (ECB) could lower its deposit rate to 2% by summer, according to Bank of France head and ECB policymaker François Villeroy de Galhau. In an interview with Alternatives Economiques, Villeroy stated, "Seen from where we are today, we could be at 2% by the coming summer."
His remarks come after the ECB cut its deposit rate by 25 basis points to 2.75% on January 30, with policymakers signaling another reduction in March. The central bank's shift toward easing monetary policy reflects growing concerns over sluggish economic growth, despite ongoing inflation risks.
Villeroy also emphasized the need for European bank consolidation to enhance global competitiveness. His comments align with broader discussions on strengthening the eurozone’s financial sector amid evolving economic conditions.
The ECB’s rate-cut trajectory signals a departure from its previous tightening cycle, driven by inflation control. As growth concerns mount, investors and analysts will closely monitor upcoming policy decisions and their potential impact on the European economy.
