DUBLIN (Reuters) – Central Bank of Ireland Governor Gabriel Makhlouf on Thursday said he was “open” to a 50 or 75 basis point hike in European Central Bank (ECB) interest rates. next month.
“My own mind is pretty open about how much of an increase there should be in December, so I wouldn’t rule anything out at this time. I know some of my colleagues are leaning towards one rate in particular, from others for a lower rate. I think either scenario is possible,” he said during a press conference.
“The IMF, the OECD, all these international bodies are talking about a slowdown in growth compared to the level at the beginning of the year. This will be an element in our decision. But at the same time, it is probably also worth noting that the labor market remains quite tight and inflation remains at an unacceptably high level,” he added.
A Reuters survey published this week predicts a limited 50 basis point rise in ECB rates in December after a 200 basis point rise since July.
(Padraic Halpin report; French version Claude Chendjou, edited by Sophie Louet)
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