According to a latest Bloomberg survey conducted from 9-15 March
The survey results show that the Euro-area economy is seen expanding 2.4% in 2018, before posting a 2% growth in 2019.
Both forecasts represent a 0.1% increasing compared to last month's survey, as economists are continuously upgrading their forecasts on growth in the Euro-area.
Meanwhile, inflation forecasts were left unchanged as they see HICP at +1.5% y/y this year and +1.6% y/y in 2019. That is still somewhat shy of the "close to 2%" target that the ECB wants.
Meanwhile, respondents see a chance of a recession over the next 12 months being at 8%.
Well, at the moment the market views that the ECB is expected to move to hike rates some time in 2019 - more towards the middle of the year to Q3 - but if inflation is seen as stalling, it could create an argument for the ECB to maybe wait a little more.
Latest core inflation results show only a +1.0% y/y reading, still some way to go to reach close to the 2% level.
