ECB to Hike Rates Twice in 2026 as Inflation Jumps, Survey Shows

The European Central Bank will raise interest rates twice this year as the Iran war drives inflation higher, a Bloomberg survey showed.

Economists see quarter-point hikes in both June and September, aligning more closely with market expectations for at least two moves this year, according to the May 4-7 poll. The last round only envisaged one increase in the deposit rate, which is currently at 2%.