Reports on possible expansion of bond buying under ECB’s QE causes to euro to plummet

FXStreet (Mumbai) - Following a Reuters report today that claimed European Central Bank policy makers are looking at widening the scope of their bond buying, euro fell 0.4% to $1.0608. Citing officials speaking on condition of anonymity, Reuters said that the central bank was considering purchases of regional bonds and even buying rebundled loans with a risk of non-payment. The report stated the possibility of the ECB officials implementing a two-tier penalty charge on banks that leave cash with the ECB.

Meanwhile the ECB gave advance warning today that it will put its Asset Purchase Program on temporary hold on Dec. 22. It will resume the quantitative easing program on Jan. 4. ECB’s Constancio has said that the decision to implement more QE will be dependent on the incoming data.

The central bank in a statement posted online mentioned that it will front-load its buying to 21st December from 27th November to take advantage of better market conditions.

Markets will be eager to see what easing tools the central bank adds or changes at its meeting next week. Multiple tools can be expected to be added.