Economic Watch: ECB signals 25-bp hike may suffice for now despite inflation concerns

The ECB's first rate hike since 2023 signals renewed hawkish resolve as resurgent inflation, Middle East war pressures and fragile growth prospects complicate the euro area outlook policy path ahead. FRANKFURT, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday decided to raise interest rates by 25 basis points, the first rate hike since September 2023.