Finance

Morning Bid: Inflation to set the tone for ECB

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on June 3, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Morning Bid: Inflation to set the tone for ECB
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A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Rae Wee The highlight for the European day on Tuesday will be flash euro zone inflation figures for May, which come ahead of an expected

Morning Bid: Inflation to set the tone for ECB

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Rae Wee

The highlight for the European day on Tuesday will be flash euro zone inflation figures for May, which come ahead of an expected rate cut from the European Central Bank (ECB) later in the week.

Expectations are for consumer prices to have slowed to an annual 2.0% last month after April's larger-than-expected 2.2% rise, but what the reading means for the ECB's rate trajectory will be the question on investors' minds.

The ECB is considered almost certain to cut its rates by a quarter point to 2.0% on Thursday, but traders are sensing a pause will then follow as the economy holds up better than anticipated and longer-term inflation worries creep back.

U.S. tariff uncertainty, heightened further by ambiguity over court rulings on the legality of the tariffs, makes the backdrop challenging as the ECB weighs the impact to business activity against implications for inflation further out.

And in more tariff news, the Trump administration wants countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday, as officials seek to accelerate talks with multiple partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks.

President Donald Trump's erratic trade policies continue to cast a pall over markets, and the dollar fell anew to a six-week low on Tuesday on signs of fragility in the U.S. economy.

Talks between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected this week as trade tensions between the world's two largest economies simmer. It remains to be seen whether it will be a "beautiful" chat or if things could take a turn for the worse.

Key developments that could influence markets on Tuesday:

- Euro zone flash CPI (May)

- U.S. Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) report (April)

- Fed's Goolsbee, Logan speak

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(Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

Key Takeaways

  • Euro zone inflation figures are crucial for ECB's rate decision.
  • ECB expected to cut rates by a quarter point to 2.0%.
  • US tariff uncertainty adds complexity to ECB's decisions.
  • Trade talks between Trump and Xi Jinping are pivotal.
  • US dollar hits a six-week low amid economic concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the expected inflation figures for the Euro zone?
Expectations are for consumer prices to have slowed to an annual 2.0% last month after April's larger-than-expected 2.2% rise.
What is the anticipated action from the ECB regarding interest rates?
The ECB is considered almost certain to cut its rates by a quarter point to 2.0% on Thursday.
How are U.S. tariffs affecting the ECB's decision-making?
U.S. tariff uncertainty complicates the ECB's considerations as it weighs the impact on business activity against inflation.
What other economic data is being released alongside Euro zone inflation figures?
The U.S. Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) report for April is also expected to be released.
What is the current market sentiment regarding the U.S. economy?
The dollar fell to a six-week low on Tuesday, indicating signs of fragility in the U.S. economy amidst ongoing trade tensions.

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