“The Governing Council decided to increase the envelope of the pandemic emergency purchase programme (PEPP) by €500 billion to a total of €1,850 billion. It also extended the horizon for net purchases under the PEPP to at least the end of March 2022. ” – ECB Press Release. Dec. 10, 2020
ECB
Central Banks Step Up $5.6 Trillion Bond Binge Despite Doubts (Bloomberg)
“Global central banks are embarking on fresh waves of bond-buying to fight the fallout from the pandemic, despite mounting claims that the once-mighty policy is losing its power to boost the economy.” – by Carolynn Look
Brussels seeks to help banks offload rising tide of bad loans (FT)
“Brussels is planning to lay out a raft of proposals in a bid to make it easier for EU banks to offload soured loans as it anticipates the risk of a pandemic-related wave of corporate distress.” – by Sam Fleming and Martin Arnold
Central Banks Pile Into Europe’s Common Debt (WSJ)
“Central banks were among the biggest buyers of European common debt this week, signaling growing trust that the euro will hold its own through the pandemic.” – by Anna Hirtenstein
European Banks Await Green Light for Cash Dividend Payments (WSJ)
“The chief executives of some of Europe’s biggest banks are hoping regulators will soon let them resume cash dividend payments, easing pressure on their flagging share prices.” – by Simon Clark
Fragile European Banks Bracing for Covid-Era Distressed Loans (Bloomberg)
“Another round of widespread lockdowns, for instance, could add more than $1 trillion in non-performing loans to the pile, according to the European Central Bank, and put the explosive issue of bank bailouts back on the table.” – by Marion Halftermeyer, Alexander Weber and Antonio Vanuzzo
ECB to consider allowing inflation to exceed target, Lagarde says (FT)
“The European Central Bank will consider following the lead of the US Federal Reserve by committing to let inflation overshoot its target after a period of sluggish price growth, it has said for the first time.” – by Martin Arnold
ECB policymakers open to more stimulus, if needed (Reuters)
“ECB board member Isabel Schnabel argued that raising inflation will be key and failure to get price growth in the 19-country euro zone moving towards the ECB’s target could be the trigger for action.”
The Outlook for the Euro Area (The ECB Blog)
“The current environment of elevated uncertainty means that the Governing Council will continue to assess carefully the incoming information, including developments in the exchange rate, with regard to the implications for the medium-term inflation outlook.” – by Philip Lane, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB
Greece borrows at zero cost (Ekathimerini)
“Investors gave Greece a fresh vote of confidence during Wednesday’s one-year treasury bill auction, as the Public Debt Management Agency borrowed without interest for the first time ever in a 52-week issue.” – by Eleftheria Kourtali