Doventz Says ECB Need Not Rush Rate Hikes if Energy Markets Stay Calm

European Central Bank Governing Council member Doventz said the ECB may keep interest rates unchanged at its next meeting if the situation in the Middle East does not escalate further before the next policy decision. According to Jin10, Doventz said on Tuesday at the Sintra forum that pausing rate hikes would be reasonable if energy prices remain stable, commodity-market volatility does not spread, and second-round effects do not emerge. He said there would be no need to rush into further tightening if oil and gas prices stay subdued. Based on current data, he added, a wait-and-see approach until September may be appropriate. With several weeks remaining before the next decision, Doventz cautioned that markets remain volatile and conditions could change quickly, while geopolitical risks have not fully receded. He said hostilities had picked up again in recent days and that, although all sides hoped for a lasting settlement, the conflict was unlikely to be resolved in the short term and uncertainty remained elevated.