INSTANT VIEW - Economists' comments on ECB news conference

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Following are analysts' comments on remarks by European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet at a news conference on Thursday after the ECB raised its key rate by 25 basis points to 4.25 percent.

LATEST COMMENTS

SIMON DERRICK, HEAD OF CURRENCY RESEARCH, BANK OF NEW YORK

MELLON, LONDON

"Mr. Trichet chose to give as neutral a message as possible at the press conference today -- no 'heightened alertness' or 'strong vigilance'. By continuing to note that the ECB currently had 'no bias' on monetary policy and 'no precommitment' to change policy in the months ahead he chose to signal that today's move was not the start of a fresh tightening cycle."

"Although the markets took this as a signal that the peak on euro zone interest rates had been reached, it may still be too soon to make this call...Within his comments was the promise that the ECB will do whatever it takes to deliver on its mandate."

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EARLIER COMMENTS

MEG BROWNE, BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN, NEW YORK