Central Banks

ECB’s Wunsch Favors Waiting for More Data Before Cutting Rates

  • Belgian official says pay growth is holding up easing
  • Many officials signaling they’d prefer first rate move in June
ECB’s Lagarde Stands by Comments on Rate-Cut Timing
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European Central Bank Governing Council member Pierre Wunsch said he’d prefer to wait for more data — particularly on workers’ pay — before deciding to start cutting interest rates.

Wage growth is running at a level that’s not compatible with the ECB’s 2% inflation target, the Belgian official said Thursday. If it wasn’t for the increase in salaries, monetary easing could already begin, he said.