[ECB Officials Expect to Pause Tightening After December Rate Hike] Citing three sources, European Central Bank (ECB) policy officials expect a 25 basis point rate hike on December 17, raising the deposit rate from 2.50% to 2.75%. Unless energy prices fall sharply, this rate hike is almost a certainty. However, officials expect to halt further tightening after the hike, as rising bond yields could reduce Eurozone economic growth by 1 percentage point and inflation by 0.9 percentage points between 2027 and 2028. (Sina Finance)