ECB could ease further, extending QE- Danske

According to analysts from Danske Bank, the European Central Bank will ease further but not in the short-term.

Key Quotes:

“We expect the continued low inflation in the euro area to eventually trigger additional easing from the ECB, but we do not expect the ECB to address this by rate cuts. Instead, we find it likely the ECB will extend the QE purchases beyond March 2017, but believe this should not be announced in the near future.”

“According to the ECB, the closing output gap will support wage growth and hence core inflation, but so far the improved labour market conditions have not resulted in upward pressure on wages. Based on our detailed inflation forecast, we believe the ECB is too optimistic on its outlook for core inflation.”

“The biggest risk to our expectation that the ECB will not cut rates further is a strong appreciation of the effective euro. The effective euro has already appreciated 2.5% following the ECB easing in March and, based on our forecasts for bilateral exchange rate, the upward pressure on the currency is set to continue over the coming 12 months.”

“Even though we look for a stronger effective euro, we still believe market pricing of inflation is too pessimistic. Core inflation has to decline considerably to be consistent with the current pricing of inflation.”