Comments by ECB governing council member Vitas Vasiliauskas
- Expects ECB forecasts to be revised in March
- Balance of risks has 'negative outlook'
- TLTROs could potentially play a role
- No reason to change ECB guidance at this point
So, that's now Coeure, Villeroy and now Vasiliauskas commenting on the economy, risks and the March meeting. This looks to be a coordinated effort here to manage market expectations. I believe a cut in growth/inflation forecasts in March from December is very much a given at this point.
But they are slowly angling towards a possible change towards the rate guidance and if economic data continues to disappoint, look out for more commentary suggesting a change there in March as well.