Klass Knot, a member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, issued a statement today that markets still seem to be underestimating the risk that inflation could be higher than models predict. This loud statement could further contribute to the fall of the eurozone.

Eurobank: market risks do not take into account inflation growth

In particular, the President of De Nederlandsche Bank drew attention to the fact that the likelihood that in 2024 inflation could exceed the value of 2.3%, which everyone including the ECB is guided by, is quite high. However, it is obvious that the risk of such a scenario is not included in the market assessments yet.

Previously, the ECB has repeatedly stated that the risks of rising inflation in the future are growing. However, now the rhetoric of the European regulator feels vague and seems to depend on the current situation more than on any clear plan. And Klaas Knot decided to openly warn investors that large increases are ahead, which is tantamount to no loans at low rates.

Klaas Knot also noted that in the coming years, government support for households in response to rising energy prices could fuel inflation. In his conviction, the head of the Central Bank of the Netherlands is based on the fact that if support, such as that provided in Germany and the Netherlands, becomes the standard, then inflation and interest rates will rise further.

As such, Germany came under fire from other EU countries last week for introducing a package of measures to protect consumers from rising energy prices in 2023 and 2024, worth around 200 billion euros (194 billion dollars). Although, it is worth noting that against the background of the escalation of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, such actions by the German government seem quite reasonable.

The Netherlands' plan to spend around 23 billion euros on capping energy prices next year is about the same amount per household.

Actually, it is unlikely that anyone will be surprised even by a significant increase in rates by the ECB at a meeting scheduled for the end of October. The question is how much it will help keep the economy afloat. Obviously, this will not be the last "belt-tightening" event.

Markets today are also concerned about rising wages in the euro area, which is essentially an expected response from manufacturers to current economic conditions and pressure from employees, but also threatens further inflation.