Barclays Lowers 2026 Euro Area Growth Forecast to 1.1%; Sees ECB Pausing Policy Amid Middle East Shock
Barclays Research has trimmed its euro area growth outlook for 2026 to 1.1% from 1.5% in 2025, citing the impact of the Middle East conflict and tighter financial conditions. The bank expects the European Central Bank to keep its deposit rate at 2% at the March 19 meeting, and it now forecasts headline inflation at 2.4% this year before easing to 2…