March 20 (Reuters) – J.P. Morgan on Friday said it expects the European Central Bank (ECB) to deliver two rate hikes in April and July, in sharp contrast to its previous forecast of steady rates through 2026, as policymakers signaled at rate hike discussions due to rising inflation risks.
The sudden shift comes after the ECB kept its key interest rate at 2% on Thursday, but policymakers expect to discuss hikes in the coming months as the Iran war threatens to push up inflation in the euro zone.
(Reporting by Siddarth S in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema)
