Despite the whole world preparing for a return of inflation, market participants in Europe are actually expecting the European Central Bank to keep its foot on the stimulus pedal this week. Talk of a “taper” of pandemic-era bond purchases has reached a crescendo in many corners of the globe, but many believe the ECB will keep to its current path due to an uncertain economic outlook and to avoid an unwanted tightening of financial conditions. “It is a close call, but we lean towards the ECB maintaining the pace of purchases,” said Mark Wall, a chief economist with Deutsche Bank, in a research note. “The dovish tilt in ... (full story)