ECB Governing Council member Makhlouf: Seriously considered raising rates this week.

ECB Governing Council member Makhlouf said he seriously considered the possibility of a rate hike this week. Although he supported the decision to keep rates unchanged, he remains uneasy about the current level of inflation. Makhlouf wrote: "I am uneasy about the current level of inflation. Upside risks to inflation remain, and we must stay vigilant and closely monitor developments." He said that before the ECB's next meeting in December, he will closely watch four areas: whether the energy shock persists, and whether the current second-round effects are gradually fading or further intensifying; whether food, goods and services prices begin to be affected by more pronounced indirect effects; wage developments; and financing conditions.