Ella 
The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) opted to uphold the status quo on Thursday, deciding unanimously to keep the three key ECB interest rates unchanged, according to reports from Azernews, citing foreign media outlets.
The interest rates for the main refinancing operations, marginal lending facility, and the deposit facility will remain steady at 4.50%, 4.75%, and 4.00%, respectively.
The Governing Council underscored its commitment to ensuring the return of inflation to its targeted 2% level over the medium term. It asserted that the current interest rate levels play a substantial role in the ongoing disinflation process.
Although rates were held firm today, the central bank hinted at the possibility of rate cuts at its next meeting.
This decision follows recent news from the US Federal Reserve, which reported a slight uptick in inflation to 3.5%.
The impact of these developments on the upcoming Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee meeting on May 9 remains uncertain.
Michael McGowan, managing director of foreign exchange at Bibby Financial Services, commented on the European Central Bank’s decision:
“The European Central Bank’s choice to maintain interest rates today is poised to reverberate across global markets.
“Here in the UK, the bank’s consistently cautious approach has incurred substantial costs for exporters thus far.
Currency volatility remains a significant concern for UK businesses, with research from Bibby Foreign Exchange indicating that nearly a quarter of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) view exchange rate fluctuations as a notable factor affecting profitability.
As we look ahead to the summer – when the first interest rate adjustments may materialize – attention will be divided among the ECB, Fed, and Bank of England in anticipation of any initial moves.
“In the interim, it’s imperative for UK SMEs engaged in international trade to shield themselves against currency risk by solidifying their FX strategies.
“Those who take proactive measures will be better equipped to navigate the cascading effects of impending rate decisions.”
