Geldpolitik: Lagarde sieht EZB im Kampf gegen Inflation gut positioniert

The European Central Bank (ECB) is managing its monetary policy, according to its chief Christine Lagarde, without solely focusing on the rise in energy prices. Lagarde emphasized on Friday in Dublin that other influential factors such as economic growth and consumption also played a role: "We take all these aspects into account."

Her deputy Boris Vujcic echoed a similar sentiment in a Reuters interview: "It would not be advisable to focus exclusively on energy prices, as important as they may be." The inflation rate in the Eurozone surged to 3.2% in August, fueled by the escalating oil prices in the wake of the Iran war. Attractive fuel and gas prices have since added to pressure on consumer prices.

Lagarde stated that the central bank would respond judiciously to the situation and align future decisions with the data available. "We are well-positioned to respond," she stressed. The ECB raised its benchmark interest rate for the second time this year to combat high inflation, while also raising its economic outlook. Expectations on financial markets are that the ECB will raise rates again in December.