What was the ECB’s decision?


Once a month members of the European Central Bank (ECB) huddle up to set the interest rates that they would implement for their programs.


Last Thursday the ECB revealed that for the month of May its refinancing rate (the rate European banks pay the ECB when borrowing money) would be cut from 0.75% to 0.50%. Meanwhile, its deposit rate (the rate banks pay the ECB to store their money) would be kept at 0.0%.


Why did the ECB cut its refinancing rates?


Last month the ECB kept its rates steady at 0.75% but had also said that it was willing to do more in case economic conditions deteriorate in the region. Unfortunately, deterioration was exactly what happened since then.


Not only did we see weak consumer and investor confidence, but manufacturing PMIs in key regions had also declined while unemployment rates continued to skyrocket. What’s worse though, is that trouble economies like Greece and Spain don’t seem to be any closer to economic recovery then they were a couple of months ago.


What’s worrying ECB head Mario Draghi and his teams is that weak growth in peripheral countries is now spreading to its core economies like Germany. And with price pressures in the region staying within expectations, the ECB had little excuse but to step up its game.


How did EUR/USD react?


Earlier speculations of an interest rate cut had dampened EUR/USD’s initial reaction when the ECB announced its decision. What’s more interesting is how the pair reacted a couple of minutes later when Mario Draghi took center stage. EUR/USD wiped out its 41-pip initial uptick and dropped by a ridiculous 130 pips in 30 minutes!


EUR/USD Monthly Chart


What the heck did Draghi say?!


Among other things Super Mario nixed talks of ending austerity measures in countries that are doing relatively well against other euro zone nations. Instead of hinting at less austerity measures, he cautioned governments not to “unravel the progress” that they have already achieved.


What got the market players’ attention more is Draghi’s hints of more stimulus measures. When asked if the ECB would consider using negative deposit rates, Draghi said that the ECB is keeping an open mind about it. That’s a huge departure from his former statements of more stimulus having “unintended consequences!”


If you remember, having negative deposit rates would mean that banks would have to pay the ECB to store their money. This could limit credit supply for bank borrowers, but it would also force banks to lend their money to a wider market.


So is the ECB just warming up on its stimulus programs? Many analysts think so. In fact, some are already speculating that other measures like buying corporate and longer-term bonds will soon be on the table as well. Still, it will probably take a couple of months and lots of weak economic data before the ECB seriously considers using other stimulus options. But that’s just me.


What do you think? Is the ECB just warming up or is it using its last tools when it cut its rates last Thursday?