Italy’s 10-year BTP yield hovered just above 3.3%, close to its lowest level in more than a year, as investors awaited Friday’s inflation data from Europe’s largest economies for clues on how the stronger euro might affect price pressures and the European Central Bank’s policy stance.
Addressing a committee of the European Parliament, ECB President Christine Lagarde reiterated that headline inflation is expected to converge toward the 2% target over the medium term as wage growth moderates. She noted that food inflation—which is central to households’ perception of inflation—is projected to edge slightly above 2% later this year. Lagarde also stressed that while the ECB will continue to monitor foreign exchange developments, it has no intention of directly intervening in currency markets.
Data released on Monday confirmed that Italy’s inflation rate fell to 1.0% in January, its lowest reading since October 2024 and well below the ECB’s 2% target. At the same time, markets were also digesting the impact of US President Donald Trump’s newly announced 10% global tariffs and the third round of US–Iran nuclear talks in Geneva, taking place against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East.
