Is the European Central Bank on the brink of offering banks another swathe of ultra-cheap loans as it attempts to stop a slowdown becoming a downturn? Speculation that the ECB will renew its so-called “targeted longer-term refinancing operations” when it concludes its latest rate-setting meeting later today sent eurozone government bonds and European bank shares higher yesterday. The bank may (or may not) announce the extension of its cheap loans, but it is a sure bet that it will cut its growth and inflation forecasts for the eurozone and hold rates at ultra-low levels. We get the ECB decision at 12.45pm (UK time) followed by a press conference with Mario Draghi, the bank’s president, at 1.30pm. Log on to our 5pm edition for…

Source: The Times March 07, 2019 09:00 UTC