ECB keeps rates on hold

FLORENCE, Italy -- The European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday kept its key interest rates unchanged, saying eurozone inflation remains broadly under control.

All three benchmark rates stayed on hold, with the deposit facility rate — the ECB's main policy rate — maintained at 2.0 percent, and the main refinancing operations rate and the marginal lending facility rate remained unchanged at 2.15 percent and 2.40 percent respectively, marking the third consecutive hold since July.

According to the ECB, eurozone inflation remains close to the 2-percent medium-term target and the Governing Council's assessment of the inflation outlook is broadly unchanged.

It said that the economy has continued to grow despite global challenges, yet the outlook is still uncertain, particularly due to ongoing global trade frictions and geopolitical tensions.