(Updates after ECB decision)
By Linda Pasquini and Samuel Indyk
June 5 (Reuters) - Euro zone bond yields were lower on
Thursday after the European Central Bank cut its main interest
rates and lowered its growth and inflation projections, but kept
options open for its next meeting in July.
The ECB lowered its deposit rate by 25 basis points to
2%, in line with expectations, having now reduced the rate by a
combined two percentage points since June.
But the outlook for further cuts is unclear, given the
uncertainty of U.S.
trade policy
, which has rattled markets since President Donald Trump
announced his so-called reciprocal tariffs on April 2.
The European Union and the U.S. remain in talks about a
potential trade agreement.
"A further escalation of trade tens euions over the
coming months would result in growth and inflation being below
the baseline projections," the ECB said in a statement.
Germany's 10-year yield, the benchmark for
the 20-nation euro zone, was last down 3 basis points at 2.496%,
having earlier hit 2.476%, its lowest since May 8.
Germany's two-year yield, which is more sensitive
to changes in monetary policy expectations, was flat at 1.793%,
within its recent tight range.
Money market traders were pricing in about 7 bps of easing
at the ECB's next meeting in July, implying around a 28% chance
of a quarter-point cut, roughly the same as before Thursday's
decision.
But the ECB is still expected to lower borrowing costs at
least one more time by the end of the year, which would bring
the deposit facility rate to 1.75%.
"July's policy decision is in the balance and while
we've pencilled in another cut for that meeting, it wouldn't be
surprising if the Bank paused," said Jack Allen-Reynolds, deputy
chief euro zone economist at Capital Economics.
Italy's 10-year yield, the benchmark for the
euro area periphery, was down 4 bps at 3.459%, briefly hitting
its lowest since February 10. The gap between Italian and German
yields stood at about 94 basis points.
Meanwhile, data on Thursday showed a larger than expected
decline in euro zone producer prices in April compared with the
previous month, helped by lower energy prices.