Santander CIB global head of economics Antonio Garcia Pascual says euro-area
short-term rates are likely to trade within a confined range. Markets price the
ECB deposit rate around 2.50–2.75%; Pascual says the range should remain stable
provided oil prices stay within the ECB’s mild and baseline scenarios. Santander
CIB sees tactical opportunities to go long the short end at current market
levels. The ECB raised rates 25bp in June to a 2.25% deposit rate; markets
expect policy to be left unchanged at Thursday’s decision.