ECB stays put on rates, reiterates guidance

Rate-setters at the European Central Bank stayed put on interest rates on Wednesday and reiterated guidance for them to remain unchanged at least through the end of the year.

The rate on its main refinancing operations and those on the marginal lending and deposit facilities were kept at 0.00%, 0.25% and -0.40%, respectively.

Policymakers also said they would continue to reinvest the principal from the maturing securities purchased under the ECB's asset purchase programme, in full, for an extended period after it began hiking rates.

In any case, they would do so for as long as needed in order to maintain "favourable liquidity conditions and an ample degree of monetary accommodation".

ECB chief Mario Draghi was scheduled to hold his post-meeting press conference at 1330 BST.