ECB leaves key rate at 0.5%; Draghi up next

ECB leaves key rate at 0.5%; Draghi up next

The European Central Bank on Thursday left its main lending rate unchanged at 0.5% on Thursday, as expected. Other key rates were also unchanged, with the rate on the bank's marginal lending facility left at 1% and the deposit rate left at 0%. ECB President Mario Draghi's monthly news conference is scheduled to get under way in Frankfurt at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. Draghi last month surprised investors and traders by saying rates would remain low for an "extended period." Draghi's news conference will be closely watched for any hints the bank is moving toward another rate cut or is set to implement new measures to further increase transparency. Earlier, the Bank of England left its key lending rate at 0.5% and maintained the size of its bond-buying program, as expected