ECB Officials Said to Expect 25bps Hike in December, Possibly Pausing Afterward

October 30 — Reuters and Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that European Central Bank officials expect to raise rates by 25 basis points at the December 17 meeting, lifting the deposit rate from 2.50% to 2.75%, and may pause thereafter. One official said that unless energy prices suddenly plunge, a December hike is "all but certain." Bloomberg said officials stressed that no decision has been made and that the situation could change rapidly with developments in the Middle East. The ECB announced on Thursday that it kept rates unchanged.