ECB's Lagarde: APP very likely to end in Q3, though open minded about when in Q3 this occurs

In her usual post-European Central Bank policy meeting press conference, ECB President Christine Lagarde said that the bank's Asset Purchase Programme (APP), which is being tapered down to EUR 20B in purchases per month in Q2, is very likely to end in Q3, reported Reuters. However, Lagarde said she is open-minded about specifically when it ends in Q3.

When pressed on the ECB's current guidance that interest rate hikes could begin "some time after" the end of the APP, Lagarde said it could be anything between a week and several months.