Trichet has clearly softened his tone towards inflation and lowered official expectations for growth and inflation. His words are critical for the exchange rate of the euro which is softening as well.Â
EUR/USD fell below support at 1.4030 as Trichet began speaking softly. It is just under the round number of 1.40 and above support at 1.3950.
Wrap up and forwards looking view available here.
Trichet uses the code words “very closely monitoringâ€, but this relates to the overall situation and not only inflation.
The ECB just left the interest rate unchanged at 1.50%, exactly as expected. This post will be updated frequently.
Background
After the euro-zone has shown already many signs of slowdown both in economic growth and in inflation, Trichet is expected to soften his tone about inflation risks.
He might take a further step and hint about the end of the tightening cycle. The ECB hiked rates twice, in July and in April, looking only at inflation and disregarding the debt crisis and the risks of recession. In the ECB preview, I spoke about an option to cut the interest rate in the next meeting, the last for Trichet before Mario Draghi replaces him.
Live Blog
12:10 GMT pre conference EUR/USD is trading at 1.4040, just above the 1.4030 support line and under resistance at 1.41. This range characterized trading during the day.
12:31 Press conference begins. Trichet says: inflation has remained elevated, and is expected to decline later on. Growth decelerated in Q2. We expect moderate growth due to high uncertainty.
12:32 “A very thorough analysis is warranted†–Â
12:33 Trichet says “monitoring very closelyâ€, but the context is not inflation…
12:34 The tone is softer, as expected, EUR/USD is lower.
 12:35 “Situation is dampening†– business confidence, debt crisis, real GDP growth is expected to be very moderate.
12:36 Ranges for GDP growth have been revised downwards.
12:36 There are downside risks. “A possibility of disorderly correctionâ€.
12:37 Inflation is high, but due to energy and commodities.  Inflation rates should fall below 2% in 2012. EUR/USD falls below 1.40.
12:38 Trichet concludes initial statement: There are risks due to commodities, oil and no oil, taxes, growth is expected to be lower.
12:42 Trichet calls governments to perform fiscal tightening. “Inflexible determination to honor commitmentsâ€
12:44 Wages should be adjusted and structural reforms should be made. More privatizations are needed to support competitiveness.
12:45 Questions begin: Are rate cuts coming? The decision was unanimous. The balance of risks of growth and inflation has changed – there are downside risks to growth. It was balanced beforehand and that is significant, according to Trichet. Inflation risks are balanced, and they were to the upside beforehand. These are the major things.
12:47 This is very soft – EUR/USD falls to support 1.3950,
12:48 Regarding liquidity, this “is not an issue†now.
12:50 Trichet refuses to say anything specific about the question regarding rate cut.
12:51 Analysis of the situation has significantly changed.
12:52 “I sent messages to the Italian governmentâ€. There have been complications and now the parliament has confirmed the first commitment of the Italian government. It sounds like Trichet controls Italy.
12:53 Heavy hints towards Italy making austerity measures, and also other governments.
12:55 Financing conditions are tighter in some areas of the euro-zone.
12:56 We are never pre-committed, taking all parameters that are at stake.
12:57 The July 21 decisions should be rapidly implemented. This is the working assumption. The EFSF should be up and running in order to intervene in the secondary markets.
12:58 “We have been exchanging views†with the SNB. It seems that he isn’t pleased by the decision. “The relationship is closeâ€
13:00 Are you going to continue buying bonds? (Italian reporter). Answer: We never communicate it in the press conference.
13:01 Trichet repeats the information already known about bond buying. EUR/USD is higher at 1.3980.
13:03 The ECB staff makes projections. The baseline of the staff has been reduced substantially. We consider that growth risks are not balanced – there is downside risk. Uncertainty at a global level is very high.
13:04 Regarding to euro-zone exit: it is important to respect the euro-zone stability pact and honor the rules and other countries. “We have been preaching in the desertâ€. Benign neglect from everybody has been the norm. This is an accusation.
13:05 Trichet continues and relates to Greece, and says that the Greek government receives a strong message from the IMF and EU to fully respect the commitments. Is he opening the door for a Greek exit from the euro-zone? EUR/USD is drifting lower to 1.3970.
13:07 “We respect the Swiss decisionâ€
13:08 “We are a pillar of stability and confidenceâ€
13:10 The crisis is not a one time event, but rather a phenomenon.
13:11 We cannot compare the yen and the franc. Switzerland is a strong economy, but relatively small, totally surrounded  by the euro area.
13:14 “We were unanimous†on the decision. We changed the position. “I will not say anything else†regarding rate cuts.
13:15 “We stand ready to do what is necessaryâ€. The situation is exceptional demanding.
13:16 Regarding Irish haircuts, nothing has changed. “When I look at Ireland, I see a country which is gaining credibilityâ€
13:19 An Irish reporter confronts Trichet with a statement to impose haircuts on Anglo-Irish senior bondholders – a statement made by the Irish finance minister and by the IMF. Trichet said “credit worthiness†is important.
13:21 EUR/USD is moving up now, to almost 1.40.
13:22 What about the D-mark? Trichet gets angry. “We have delivered price stability†also in Germany, 1.55%, which has been better than anything beforehand.
13:23 Also in the worst crisis since WWII, the ECB did things that were unpopular with governments. “It is not by chance that we have delivered price stabilityâ€.
13:24 Trichet reminds us that some governments asked to weaken the growth and stability pact.  “We do our job – not an easy jobâ€.
13:26 “The weakest countries are asking us to deliver price stability. The independence of the ECB is inflexible. The ECB is “fiercely independentâ€.
13:30We are not negotiating with any government, just sending messages, then we see what happens.
13:33 Governments should be ahead of the curve. Structural reforms are necessary.
13:36 Why are there doubts about the banking system? A: 75% of financing is through banks. The Full Allotment is an important non-standard measure.
13:37 Banks should put aside their earning and reinforce themselves (recapitalize).
13:39Â Regarding fiscal stimulus, Trichet provides a complex answer.
13:40 Trichet says that there is no stigma regarding taking money for the ECB. A reporter say that the European banks are under capitalized. Trichet says that it is better to be solid…
13:41 “I will not dramatize the situation†– the stress tests are important.
13:42 Greece must fulfill its commitments. In the meantime, EUR/USD is edging up to almost 1.4030.
13:45 Governments must have the EFSF up and running. And then, the ECB will not need to buy bonds. The ECB buys bonds because the governments are moving slowly.
13:47 Spain must restore its credibility. Trichet refuses to say if the bond markets reflect the situation in Spain.
13:48 Was it necessary to raise the rates earlier in the year? Trichet defends those decisions, which have kept inflation very stable (but perhaps hurt growth?)
13:51 “We will examine the German court decision†and refuses to comment.
13:52 Regarding Italy, Trichet says that the ECB is not dictating, but just sending messages.
13:53 Press conference ends. Wrap up coming soon.
Wrap up and forwards looking view available here.
For more on the euro, see the euro.
* All times are GMT.
In the meantime, US jobless claims rose to 414K this week, a bit higher than 407K that was expected, and within range. American trade balance has shown a deficit of 44 billion, better than 50 billion that was predicted.
