"After eight consecutive rate cuts this year, the ECB has opted to maintain its cautious stance, holding rates steady at 2%. This suggests a pragmatic approach from the bank, as Eurozone inflation unexpectedly rose to 2.2% in September, marking the first increase above the ECB's target since April.
"For investors, this stability presents a slightly mixed picture. Steady rates provide a supportive environment for deploying capital, even as inflation continues to exert pressure on margins and exit valuations. Supply chain uncertainty, especially in high-demand areas such as semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, may temper appetite for certain industrial assets in the near term. Yet, the recently signed EU-India trade agreement signals promising long-term avenues for investment and could help unlock new growth corridors over time."