Finance: Here comes the ECB ...

The ECB will announce its latest monetary policy decisions at 12.45 p.m. GMT.

The European Central Bank will soon release the monetary policy decisions from the January meeting of its Governing Council, the first of 2018.

At 12.45 p.m. GMT (1.45 p.m. CET; 7.45 a.m. ET), the central bank for the euro area will announce whether it changed either interest rates or its asset buying programme in any way.

It is highly unlikely that any policy changes will occur, with any movement likely to give a major shock to financial markets.

The bank decided in October to reduce its asset purchases to €30 billion euros a month from €60 billion and to extend them at least until September, or longer if necessary.

It is widely expected to announce a further lowering of its monthly purchases at some point in 2018, although when that will be remains unclear.

While policy changes are unlikely, investors will be keenly watching ECB President Mario Draghi when he speaks to the media at 1.30 p.m. GMT. It is thought that Draghi may strike a dovish tone, despite the eurozone's rampant recent growth, in an effort to subdue the rally seen in the euro in recent months.

The single currency hit a fresh three-year high on Thursday, and there are worries that continuing appreciation could dampen inflation and endanger the work done by years of unprecedented stimulus.

This post will be updated once the ECB's decision is announced.

The ECB will announce its latest monetary policy decisions at 12.45 p.m. GMT. Read Full Story