Wellink Says ECB Sent Important Inflation Expectations Signal

European Central Bank Governing Council Member Nout Wellink said the central bank’s April 7 interest rate increase sent to investors an “extremely important” signal aimed at preventing expectations of higher inflation.

While Wellink didn’t explicitly ratify market and economist forecasts that the ECB’s policy rate will rise a further 50 basis points this year to 1.75 percent, he made it clear the central bank will keep inflation control its main policy goal.