ECB Holds Interest Rates Steady, Hiking Cycle Not Necessarily Over

The European Central Bank (ECB) decided on July 23 to keep its key interest rates unchanged.

However, this move does not necessarily mean that the rate hiking cycle has ended. The ECB's next decision in September will largely depend on several factors.

Specifically, critical factors include energy prices, inflation developments, and the evolution of the conflict in the Middle East. The ECB continues to carefully assess economic conditions before making further changes to interest rates.