Draghi finally appears at European Parliament

  • Growth is stronger than previously expected
  • At the same time, inflation has yet to show more convincing signs of a sustained upward adjustment
  • Given the uncertainty surrounding the measure of economic slack, the true number might be larger than estimated
  • Labor market expected to improve further
  • We anticipate that headline inflation will resume its gradual upward adjustment
  • Relationship between growth and inflation remains largely intact, even if it was temporarily weakened
  • US tax reform will reshape global tax landscape
  • The last thing we want is a softening of global regulation
  • ECB guidance on interest rates 'very important'
  • Policy effect produced by combination of measures
  • Possible extension of QE hasn't been discussed

Draghi continues to try to walk the tightrope between optimism and hawkishness.