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Europe Cuts Rates Less Than Expected to 1.25%

Economists, markets had hoped for 50-point cut

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 2, 2009 7:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – The European Central Bank cut interest rates today by 25 basis points, less than expected, to 1.25%. Economists had widely expected a cut double that size, reports the Financial Times, and financial markets soared on the news this morning. The ECB has been more hesitant to cut rates than central banks in the US, Britain, and Japan; bank president Jean-Claude Trichet has said that zero interest rates would be dangerous.

Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank ECB addresses the media during a news conference in Frankfurt, central Germany, on Thursday, March 5, 2009.
Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank ECB addresses the media during a news conference in Frankfurt, central Germany, on Thursday, March 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Daniel Roland)
The European Central Bank has cut interest rates to 1.25%, disappointing markets who had hoped for a further quarter-point reduction.
The European Central Bank has cut interest rates to 1.25%, disappointing markets who had hoped for a further quarter-point reduction.   (©ArchiM)
The European Central Bank has cut interest rates to 1.25%, disappointing markets who had hoped for a further quarter-point reduction.
The European Central Bank has cut interest rates to 1.25%, disappointing markets who had hoped for a further quarter-point reduction.   (©Arkangel)
Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank, during a news conference in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday, March 12, 2009.
Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank, during a news conference in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday, March 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Hans Punz)
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