European Central Bank is waiting for signs that inflation is under control
The European economy has slogged through quarter after quarter of near-zero growth
Analysts say the quarter-point cut is unlikely to usher in a swift series of further cuts
Many central banks are tilting toward undoing some of the sharp hikes to interest rates
Price rises slow down in two biggest economies: Germany and France
ECB President Christine Lagarde hints that any move on rates might have to wait until June
Government says Europe’s largest economy is in 'troubled waters'
The eurozone grew 0.5% for the full year, while the U.S. grew 2.5%
The bank left its benchmark rate unchanged at a record-high 4%
Sluggish economic growth and the impact of higher interest rates on economic activity have sparked bets on rate cuts