Goldman Sachs Expects ECB Rate Hikes in April and June as Inflation Concerns Mount

March 23 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs said on Monday it expects the European Central Bank to deliver two 25 basis point interest rate hikes in April and June, joining peers J.P.Morgan and Barclays as policymakers signal inflation risks driven by the Middle East war.

The brokerage previously expected the central bank to maintain rates steady throughout this year.

At its March policy meeting, the ECB left interest rates unchanged but indicated that it was closely watching growth and inflation risks posed by surging oil prices and was ready to act if necessary.