ECB keeps rates on hold, leaves room for more hikes

The European Central Bank kept borrowing costs on hold on Thursday but left room ​for more tightening in the coming months as ‌a widening conflict in the Middle East pushed up energy prices again.

Reuters • 2 hours ago

ECB Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged

The European Central Bank kept borrowing costs unchanged, with the deposit rate remaining at 2.25%. This buys the central bank time to wait for data to judge whether price pressures caused by the Iran war require additional fiscal tightening.

Bloomberg Markets and Finance • 2 hours ago

Reigniting Inflation Heaps Pressure on European Central Bank

The central bank held rates steady, but could resume hiking as surging oil prices threaten to drive inflation and bond yields higher.

WSJ • 2 hours ago

The ECB is expected to hold rates. But analysts say hawkish hints could be coming — and a hike isn't impossible

Analysts at ING said a surprise hike at Thursday's meeting “should not be fully ruled out.”

Market Watch • Jul 22, 2026

Why the ECB Will Probably Hold Rates Steady Despite Iran Inflation Fears

The latest flare-up in fighting probably won't force the European Central Bank's hand on Thursday, even as energy costs creep higher.

Barrons • a day ago

European stocks edge lower amid US-Iran tensions

European shares traded lower on Monday as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran pushed oil prices higher, raising concerns about inflation ahead of another corporate earnings season. Investors also turned their attention to upcoming earnings from major US technology companies and the European Central Bank's policy meeting later this week.

Invezz • Jul 20, 2026

European Energy Stocks Open Higher as Oil Rises on Escalating U.S.-Iran Attacks

European energy stocks opened higher as oil rose on concerns that escalating hostilities between Iran and the U.S. threatened energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

WSJ • Jul 20, 2026

Europe Inc heads into strongest earnings season in years, but AI gap persists

European companies are heading for their strongest earnings season in more ​than three years, but investors remain concerned that the region lacks enough AI-powered growth engines to keep pace with ‌the United States.

Reuters • Jul 16, 2026

Renewed Hormuz hostilities drive ECB rates rethin amid ‘extremely volatile' outlook

The ECB hiked its key deposit rate by 25 basis points in June as energy prices spiked. Investors had written off a hike at next week's meeting, but higher oil prices have brought monetary policy back into question.

CNBC • Jul 15, 2026

Eurozone Industrial Production Fell Unexpectedly in May

Eurozone industrial output in May snapped a three-month streak of resilient activity in the face of higher energy costs following the conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

WSJ • Jul 15, 2026