[Franklin Templeton: ECB Expected to Hold Steady After September Rate Hike] Jin10 News, July 22 – David Zahn, Head of European Fixed Income at Franklin Templeton, stated in a report that the institution's baseline forecast is that the European Central Bank (ECB) will implement its final rate hike in September, with inflation expected to remain above the ECB's 2% target over the next few quarters. After that, the ECB is expected to hold steady to assess the impact of the tightening policies already implemented. However, Zahn noted that the ECB remains highly data-dependent. 'If tensions in the Gulf region reignite, driving up energy prices and keeping inflation above target for a longer period, policymakers may be forced to consider further rate hikes.' Franklin Templeton expects the ECB to begin easing policies in 2027.