POLL ECB to hike rates again in December as inflation almost doubles 2% target - Reuters

A Reuters poll of economists points to another European Central Bank rate increase in December, with inflation running at almost twice the ECB's 2% target. The survey reflects expectations, not an ECB commitment, but it signals that forecasters see price pressures as persistent enough to warrant further tightening.

For markets, the key issue is how far the ECB is willing to go. Higher rates raise borrowing costs across mortgages, corporate credit and government debt, and typically support the euro by improving relative yield appeal. They can also weigh on rate-sensitive sectors such as real estate and utilities.

What to watch: the December meeting decision and any change in the ECB's language on future moves; the next inflation readings, especially core inflation that strips out food and energy; and whether wage growth and services prices cool. Also monitor how financial conditions respond, since past hikes still feed through to the economy with a lag. The poll shapes expectations, but data will decide.