ECB to hold course as threats to growth linger

FRANKFURT, Apr 08 (AFP): The European Central Bank (ECB) will hint Wednesday at moves to support the eurozone economy but stop short of new action, analysts expect, as the Frankfurt institution eyes lingering political risks.

Policymakers took the unexpectedly aggressive step in March of announcing a new tranche of cheap loans to banks, shoring up lenders as it was forced to slash its forecasts for growth and inflation between now and 2021.

The ECB also pushed back the earliest possible date it could raise eurozone interest rates off historic lows to 2020, rather than summer this year as previously trailed.