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Exclusive: ECB’s Šimkus Backs June Hike, Sees Second Rate Move as “More Likely Than Not”

Exclusive: ECB’s Šimkus Backs June Hike, Sees Second Rate Move as “More Likely Than Not”

By David Barwick – VILNIUS (Econostream) – A 25bp June interest rate hike by the European Central Bank would be prudent and a second tightening move thereafter is more likely than not, according to ECB Governing Council member Gediminas Šimkus, who said that policymakers should gather additional evidence after June rather than feel compelled to tighten again immediately.

29 May 2026 Central Bank News
Italy: MEF Sells €10.5 Billion of BTPs, CCTeus

Italy: MEF Sells €10.5 Billion of BTPs, CCTeus

By Laura Contemori – ROME (Econostream) – Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) sold €10.5 billion of BTPs and CCTeus on Thursday, according to data published by the Bank of Italy.

28 May 2026 Debt Issuance News
ECB’s Lagarde Warns Central Bank Independence Must Be “Protected and Cultivated”

ECB’s Lagarde Warns Central Bank Independence Must Be “Protected and Cultivated”

By David Barwick – FRANKFURT (Econostream) – European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde on Thursday warned that the environment facing central banks had become markedly more difficult, arguing that legal independence alone was no longer sufficient and that credibility earned through action would be decisive in preserving monetary autonomy.

28 May 2026 Central Bank News
Austria: OeBFA Prices €5.5 Billion Dual-Tranche Benchmark Syndication

Austria: OeBFA Prices €5.5 Billion Dual-Tranche Benchmark Syndication

By Laura Contemori – ROME (Econostream) – Austria’s debt management agency, OeBFA, on Thursday priced a €5.5 billion dual-tranche syndicated transaction comprising a new five-year and a new 15-year benchmark bond, according to a press release from the Republic of Austria.

28 May 2026 Debt Issuance News
Italy: MEF Sells €500 Million of 2-Year BTP in Supplementary Auction

Italy: MEF Sells €500 Million of 2-Year BTP in Supplementary Auction

By Laura Contemori – ROME (Econostream) – Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) on Wednesday sold €500 million of the 2.2% two-year Treasury Bond (BTP) due February 28, 2028 in a supplementary auction reserved for specialists, according to data published by the Bank of Italy.

27 May 2026 Debt Issuance News
ECB’s Makhlouf: Haven’t Seen Second-Round Effects Yet, But They May Exist

ECB’s Makhlouf: Haven’t Seen Second-Round Effects Yet, But They May Exist

By Marta Vilar – DUBLIN (Econostream) – European Central Bank Governing Council member Gabriel Makhlouf said Wednesday that he had not yet seen clear second-round effects stemming from the Middle East conflict, though he added that did not mean such effects did not exist or could not emerge in time for the ECB’s June meeting.

27 May 2026 Central Bank News