ECB CHECKLIST: Specific Instruments Not Discussed, Can Do More
(Bloomberg) -- While the ECB decided there was not enough information to justify discussing specific instruments, President Mario Draghi signaled the Governing Council’s willingness to do more.
- Draghi also said a public backstop for NPLs “would be very useful”
- NOTE: Draghi’s opening remarks here; account of last meeting
- BOND SCARCITY, QE AND CAPITAL KEY
- Keeps asset-purchase program at EU80b per month
- The GC discussed the general economic conditions and concluded it didn’t have yet information to take decision
- Didn’t discuss specific instruments at this point in time
- ECB wants to stress readiness, willingness, ability to act; proper attention should be given to evidence that’s been received in past few months and ability to exploit flexibility
- Given prevailing uncertainties, GC will continue to monitor financial and economic developments carefully
- Headwinds to recovery include U.K. referendum outcome, other geopolitical uncertainty, subdued EM growth prospects, necessary balance sheet adjustment in certain sectors
- ON BANKS
- Need to address weak profitability ahead, not the solvency
- Falling bank equity prices are of some significance for policy makers as could lift cost of capital and return on lending would fall
- NPLs are a problem that needs to be addressed because it’s an obstacle to the transmission of monetary policy; a public backstop is possible in exceptional times
- Draghi didn’t comment, when asked for his view on the IMF report that Deutsche Bank may be the biggest contributor to systemic risk among the largest lenders
- INTEREST RATES
- Expect them to remain at present or lower levels for an extended period of time, and well past the horizon of the QE program
- BREXIT
- It’s a downside risk and one that has materialized
- Financial markets have weathered spike in volatility with encouraging resilience; financing conditions remain highly supportive
- Large uncertainties prevail; much will depend on how long it takes for negotiations to be completed
- Economic forecasts related to Brexit also depend on length of time of negotiations and their result
- FISCAL POLICY
- The fiscal stance in the euro area is expected to be mildly expansionary in 2016 and to turn broadly neutral in 2017-18
- In order to reap full benefits from monetary policy measures, other policy areas must contribute much more decisively, both at national and European level; reform needs differ across euro-area economies, with a focus on lifting productivity, improving business environment
- In an environment of accommodative monetary policy, a swift implementation of structural reforms will not only lead to higher sustainable economic growth but also make it more resilient to shocks
- INFLATION
- Likely to remain low in next few months before picking up later in 2016, in large part owing to base effects and annual rate of change of energy prices
- Should increase further in 2017, 2018
- A cross-check confirmed the need to preserve an appropriate degree of monetary accommodation to secure a return of inflation rates towards levels that are below, but close to, 2% without undue delay
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HALISTER1Source: BFW (Bloomberg First Word)
Tickers 2539Z GR (European Central Bank)
People Mario Draghi (European Central Bank)
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