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ECB cuts rates to historic low

Tony Merryfield
Tony Merryfield - [email protected]
ECB cuts rates to historic low
Photo: DPA

The European Central Bank on Thursday cut its main interest rate by 25 basis points to 1.00 percent – marking a new record low for borrowing costs in the eurozone.

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ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet told a press conference in Frankfurt he was still concerned about the effect of the global downturn on the economy of the 16-nation euro area.

“Today’s decisions take into account the expectation that price developments will continue to be dampened by the substantial past fall in commodity prices and the marked weakening of economic activity in the euro area and globally,” he said.

The move by Europe's monetary authorities in Frankfurt was largely expected, coming in the wake of several reductions in borrowing costs over the past several months.

The ECB, which sets monetary policy for Germany and the entire eurozone, started to lower interest rates in October as part of coordinated action with the US Federal Reserve and other leading central banks.

The ECB last cut its main refinancing rate by 25 basis points in April.

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