The ECB meets later in the session, with policymakers having to decide whether to raise its key interest rate to a record level, or pause its lengthy rate-hiking cycle as the eurozone’s economy deteriorates.
The central bank has raised rates at each of its past nine meetings and another increase of 25 basis points would lift the key deposit rate to 4%, the highest level since the euro was launched in 1999.
ECB President Christine Lagarde hinted at a pause this month at her press conference following the last meeting in late July, but Reuters reported on Tuesday that the central bank was set to raise its forecast for inflation next year to more than 3%, seemingly increasing the chances of a hike.
“We expect a very heated debate with a close outcome. While there are good arguments to justify both a pause and another rate hike, we are sticking to our view that the ECB will hike rates one final time,” said analysts at ING, in a note.