Analysts predict the European Central Bank will raise interest rates as early as next week, and oil prices and policy will face difficult choices.

According to Mars Finance, citing Jinshi, KBC Bank analysts stated in a report that the bank expects the European Central Bank (ECB) to raise interest rates at its policy meeting next week or in April. Analysts pointed out that if no unexpected ceasefire occurs this weekend, the ECB will face a challenging policy decision with oil prices at $100 per barrel when it meets next Thursday. LSEG data shows that the money market expects the ECB to keep interest rates unchanged in March and has priced in a rate hike of approximately 7.5 basis points in April.