European, English Banks May Keep Existing Rates

European Central Bank and Bank of England policymakers will probably leave interest rates unchanged at separate meetings this week, even as reports show European economic growth is sputtering, analysts said.

The majority of analysts polled by Bloomberg News expect the ECB to keep its benchmark rate at 4.5% when officials meet Thursday.

A combination of slowing growth and accelerating inflation has put the ECB in a bind. Lowering borrowing costs could boost the economies of the 12 nations that share the euro. Such a move may also fan inflation. The ECB lowered rates for the first time in two years May 10.

The Bank of England, meanwhile, will probably keep its key rate at 5.25% when its nine-member Monetary Policy Committee meets Wednesday.