1401 GMT - The European Central Bank became the seventh central bank to announce unchanged rates in the last 24 hours, acting cautiously in face of the uncertainty stoked by the energy crisis, Premier Miton Investors' Neil Birrell says in a note. "Uncertainty abounds, with spiking energy prices fuelling inflationary fears," the chief investment officer says. "Markets are reacting to these rising risks, and central banks must do so too." Central banks have no choice but to be cautious in approach, the problem being that growth is now a real risk, as recognised by the ECB in their statement, he says. "The outlook is grim at the moment, with no immediate resolution in sight." (emese.bartha@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 19, 2026 10:01 ET (14:01 GMT)
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