ECB Disappointed The Market Again By Adopting Just A 25 bps Cut In April

To our, as well as the market's, disappointment, the ECB only reduced its policy rates by 25 bps to 1.25%, less than consensus forecast of a 50 bps cut. The deposit rate was also 25 bps lower, maintaining the corridor at 100 bps. At the same time, no non-standard measures were announced. We believe this was because the policymakers remained indecisive on what additional measures to be implemented and many of them still felt reluctant to put forward QE.

Although the ECB has slashed its main refinancing rate 300 bps to the current level at 1.25%, the lowest since 1999, since October 2008, it's monetary easing is still lagging its major counterparts, including the Fed, BOE, SNB and BOJ, whose interest rates have reached almost zero.

The ECB President Trichet stated that another cut is possible in May when it may also decide on any new non-standard measures. However, he did not give further details on the options, except for ruling out using exchange rate at an unconventional tool.

Concerning economic outlook, Trichet mentioned at the press conference that economic activities has weakened and is likely to remain very subdued for the rest of the year in the Eurozone. However, gradual recovery is expected in 2010. Despite further easing in inflation, the ECB's ‘inflation expectations over the medium to longer term, at levels below but close to 2%, remain firmly anchored in line'.

We believe at the meeting next month, the central bank will reduce interest rate by another 25 bps, thereby making the policy rate to 1% and narrowing the corridor to 75 bps (as it seems unlikely that the central bank will allow the deposit rate to reach 0%). Moreover, some non-standard measures will be announced and we expect it will be extension of the liquidity provision to banks to 12 months from the current 6 month as well as purchase of private securities. Although buying of sovereign securities is an attractive option, it's not likely for the ECB to do it at the moment.