EU’s Almunia: ECB comments make him think rate cut would not be surprising at next meeting

European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Joaquin Almunia, speaking earlier before a Spanish parliamentary economics committee, said “If you follow the comments of ECB President Jean Claude Trichet and of the other members of its governing council, you won’t be aurprised by a fresh cut in interest rates.”

Hard to argue with that. Looks highly likely ECB will trim rates 50 bps to 1.5% at the next policy meeting on March 5.