The European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to maintain the key interest rate at 4.25% - the highest in the last seven years - in a continuing effort against inflation, even though the regional economy is experiencing a slowdown. The ECB decision confirms the analysts" predictions. They tend to believe that ECB will not lower the interest before the second quarter of 2009. Last month, the ECB increased the key interest rate by 0.25% to 4.25% as a result of a higher inflation rate. In July, the inflation rate in the 15 Euro countries reached 4.1% - the highest level in the past 16 years.
ECB Keeps Key Interest Rate At 4.25%
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Ziarul BURSA #English Section / 8 august 2008