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ECB’s Lane sees inflation returning to target from mid-2027-paper

By Thomson Reuters Sep 22, 2026 | 12:12 AM

ZURICH, Sept 22 (Reuters) – An energy shock pushing up oil and gas prices is ​likely to last longer than ‌the European Central Bank had anticipated in March, with geopolitical risks now looking elevated again, ECB Chief ‌Economist ​Philip Lane was ⁠quoted as saying on ⁠Tuesday.

“As a result, we believe this second wave of energy price increases should lead to ​higher and more persistent inflation, before it recedes towards ⁠our target starting ⁠in mid-2027,” Lane told ​Swiss newspaper Le Temps.

Asked whether he ​saw spillover effects on other ‌prices, such as electricity or services, Lane said:

“So far, from February until now, we haven’t, ⁠and that’s the good news. However, the second wave of energy price increases ⁠that ‌we’re seeing today is ⁠likely to put upward ​pressure ‌on food prices, energy ​prices more ⁠broadly, including electricity, and goods prices in general. By contrast, pressures on services should remain relatively contained.”

(Writing by Dave GrahamEditing by ​Ludwig Burger)