[PIMCO: European Central Bank Likely to Stay Hawkish and Hold Steady, Energy May Drive Eurozone Inflation to Peak at 3% This Year] Jin10 Data, March 19 – With Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz, reducing oil and natural gas supplies to the region, and driving up energy costs and inflationary pressures, traders will closely monitor the European Central Bank's guidance on Thursday for clues on how the bank might respond. Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO) portfolio manager Konstantin Veit noted: 'We expect the European Central Bank to maintain the deposit rate at 2% for the sixth consecutive meeting.' He added: 'We anticipate the European Central Bank will emphasize heightened geopolitical uncertainties and signal a more hawkish stance rather than immediately adjusting policy.' He stated: 'In the new staff projections, we believe it may show short-term inflation overshooting due to rising energy prices, followed by inflation returning to 2% next year.' He expects overall inflation this year to peak at around 3%, with energy factors contributing approximately 1 percentage point.