ECB raises interest rates by 25 basis points

The European Central Bank has hiked interest rates to a record high as policymakers look to address elevated inflation in the eurozone despite emerging signs that the region’s economy is weakening.

It is the tenth straight rate increase by the Frankfurt-based bank since it misjudged the speed of price gains early last year. The move brings the ECB’s main refinancing operations, the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility up to 4.50%, 4.75% and 4.00%, respectively.

Prior to the decision, debate swirled around how officials would adjust borrowing costs to account for stubbornly high price growth and flagging economic activity.

Preliminary readings show that inflation in the eurozone is now more than twice the ECB’s 2% target. However, the bank’s long-standing monetary tightening campaign, coupled with similar policy moves by central banks across the world and weakness in China, have begun to hit the broader eurozone economy. Manufacturing is suffering, while lending has slumped and services have showed early signs of strain, contributing to concerns that the region may slip into a recession.