Weekend Draghi: Signalled March policy meeting could be critical in determining if ECB to provide additional stimulus

In the Wall Street Journal, says:

• European Central Bank President Mario Draghi Sunday signaled the central bank’s March policy meeting could be critical in determining whether the ECB will provide additional stimulus

“By then we’ll have the full set of information needed for us to decide whether to act or not”

• Draghi’s comments highlighting the significance of the meeting are likely to boost market speculation the ECB will cut rates at its next policy meeting in early March.

Also: from Praet over the weekend (chief economist of the European Central Bank), interviewed in a Portuguese newspaper:

“We admit that the pressures on prices are weak, and that this weakness in price development is extending into the medium term”

Both Praet and Draghi dismissed fears of deflation

Draghi Highlights Importance of March ECB Meeting (The Wall Street Journal is often gated, so if you’re unable to access the article try a search of Google news using the headline)

Also, ungated from MNI