ECB's Lagarde: APP liekly to end in early Q3, strong chance of rate hikes this year

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said on Friday that the bank's current Asset Purchase Programme (which is set to taper from EUR 40B in purchases this month to EUR 20B in June) is likely to end in early Q3, reported Reuters. Moreover, there is a strong chance that interest rates will be raised this year, she added.