ECB Holds Rates As President Lagarde Announces Early Departure
/*jshint esversion: 6 */
var socket;
var assigned_server = 3001;
var distributor_server = 3010;
var publisher_channel = '';
var broadcaster_channel = '';
var remote_ip = '';
var session_info = {};
var logging_interval;
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var socket_emits = 0;
var session_start_time;
var reconnectionDelayGrowFactor = 1.2;
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var connected_to_assigned = false;
var socket_close_timeout;
var player_disconnected_annoucement_play_delay = 1500;
var player_disconnected_annoucement_play_timeout = null;
const TOKEN_ENDPOINT = "https://www.livesquawk.com/api/get_token.php";
self.onmessage = function (msg) {
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case 'Reactivate': reactivate(); break;
case 'ConnectDistributor': connect_to_distributor(msg); break;
case 'SessionStaticInfo': session_static_info(msg); break;
case 'SessionInfo': update_session_info(msg.data); break;
case 'PauseLogging': clearTimeout(logging_interval); break;
case 'RestartLogging': postMessage({action: 'RequestSessionStaticInfo' }); break;
case 'JoinPublisherChannel': join_publisher_channel(msg.data); break;
case 'JoinPlayerChannel': join_player_channel(msg.data); break;
case 'CheckChannelStatus': check_channel_status(msg.data); break;
case 'PlayerLogResponse': player_log_response(msg.data); break;
case 'CloseSocket': close_socket(); break;
case 'RequestMessageSearch': request_message_search(msg.data); break;
case 'RequestMoreMessages': request_more_messages(msg.data); break;
case 'PlayerDisconnectedAnnoucementTimeoutStart': player_disconnected_annoucement_timeout_start(); break;
case 'PlayerDisconnectedAnnoucementTimeoutClear': player_disconnected_annoucement_timeout_clear(); break;
case 'GetConnectionState': checkSocketConnectionState(); break;
}
};
function player_disconnected_annoucement_timeout_clear() {
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player_disconnected_annoucement_play_timeout = null;
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function player_disconnected_annoucement_timeout_start() {
player_disconnected_annoucement_play_timeout = setTimeout(function() { send_play_disconnect_annoucement(); }, player_disconnected_annoucement_play_delay );
}
function send_play_disconnect_annoucement() {
postMessage({action: "PlayDisconnectAnnoucement"});
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function reactivate() {
playing = false;
connect_to_assigned_server();
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function player_log_response(data) {
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data_array.type = 'PlayerLogResponse';
data_array.respond_to_socket_final = data.respond_to_socket_final;
data_array.respond_to_socket = data.respond_to_socket;
data_array.player_socket_id = data.player_socket_id;
data_array.logs = data.logs;
var msg_string = JSON.stringify(data_array);
if (socket.readyState == 1) { socket.send(msg_string); }
}
function request_message_search(data) {
var data_array = {};
data_array.type = 'request_message_search';
data_array.publisher_channel = data.publisher_channel;
data_array.search_term = data.search_term;
var msg_string = JSON.stringify(data_array);
if (socket.readyState == 1) { socket.send(msg_string); }
}
function request_more_messages(data) {
var data_array = {};
data_array.type = 'request_more_messages';
data_array.publisher_channel = data.publisher_channel;
data_array.last_record_id = data.last_record_id;
var msg_string = JSON.stringify(data_array);
if (socket.readyState == 1) { socket.send(msg_string); }
}
function check_channel_status(data) {
var data_array = {};
data_array.type = 'check_channel_status';
data_array.app_name = data.app_name;
var msg_string = JSON.stringify(data_array);
if (socket.readyState == 1 && connected_to_assigned) { socket.send(msg_string); }
else { setTimeout(function() { check_channel_status(data); },500); }
}
function check_channel_status_response(data) {
postMessage({ action: 'CheckChannelStatusReponse', stream_status: data.stream_status.status, onair: data.stream_status.onair, connected: data.stream_status.connected });
}
async function join_publisher_channel(data) {
if (typeof data.jwt_token === 'string' && data.jwt_token !== '') {
if (!socket || socket.readyState !== WebSocket.OPEN) {
console.warn("[Page worker] JWT join skipped: socket not open");
return;
}
socket.send(JSON.stringify({
type: "join_publisher_channel",
jwt_token: data.jwt_token,
publisher_channel: data.publisher_channel,
username: data.username,
subscriber_group: data.subscriber_group,
display_name: data.display_name,
single_sign_on: data.single_sign_on,
remote_ip: data.remote_ip,
http_referrer: data.http_referrer,
current_page: data.current_page,
php_session_id: data.php_session_id,
from_react: data.from_react,
...(typeof data.api_key === "string" && data.api_key.trim() !== "" ? { api_key: data.api_key } : {}),
}));
console.log("[Page worker] Sent supplied JWT join");
postMessage({ action: 'PublisherChannelJoined' });
return;
}
const joinSocket = socket; if (!joinSocket || joinSocket.readyState !== WebSocket.OPEN) { return; }
const apiKey = typeof data.api_key === "string" ? data.api_key.trim() : "";
const partnerName = partnerFromCurrentPage(data.current_page);
let tokenBody;
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else { tokenBody = { username: data.username || "", publisher_channel: data.publisher_channel || "", }; }
let jwtToken = null;
try {
const requestStartedAt = Date.now();
const response = await fetch(TOKEN_ENDPOINT, {
method: "POST",
headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
body: JSON.stringify(tokenBody),
credentials: "same-origin",
cache: "no-store",
});
if (!response.ok) {
throw new Error(`token endpoint returned ${response.status}`);
}
const tokenData = await response.json();
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throw new Error("token endpoint returned no token");
}
const expiresIn = Number(tokenData.expires_in);
if (!Number.isFinite(expiresIn) || expiresIn <= 0) {
throw new Error("token endpoint returned an invalid lifetime");
}
const expiresAt = requestStartedAt + (expiresIn * 1000);
if (expiresAt <= Date.now() + 30000) {
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jwtToken = tokenData.token;
}
catch (error) {
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// A reconnect during the fetch makes this join attempt obsolete.
if ( socket !== joinSocket || joinSocket.readyState !== WebSocket.OPEN ) { return; }
const payload = {
type: "join_publisher_channel",
publisher_channel: data.publisher_channel,
username: data.username,
subscriber_group: data.subscriber_group,
display_name: data.display_name,
single_sign_on: data.single_sign_on,
remote_ip: data.remote_ip,
http_referrer: data.http_referrer,
current_page: data.current_page,
php_session_id: data.php_session_id,
from_react: data.from_react,
};
if (apiKey !== "") { payload.api_key = apiKey; }
if (jwtToken) { payload.jwt_token = jwtToken; }
console.log( jwtToken ? "[Page worker] Sending fetched JWT with legacy details" : "[Page worker] Sending legacy join without JWT" );
joinSocket.send(JSON.stringify(payload));
postMessage({ action: "PublisherChannelJoined" });
}
function partnerFromCurrentPage(current_page) {
try {
if (!current_page) return '';
const fullUrl = current_page.startsWith('http') ? current_page : `https://${current_page}`;
return new URL(fullUrl).searchParams.get('partner_name') || '';
} catch (e) { return ''; }
}
function session_static_info(msg) {
set_static_session_info(msg.data);
start_log();
}
function connect_to_distributor(msg) {
publisher_channel = msg.data.publisher_channel;
remote_ip = msg.data.remote_ip;
socket = new WebSocket("wss://ws.livesquawk.com/ws"+distributor_server);
socket.onopen = function(event) { request_server_assignment(); };
socket.onmessage = function(event) {
var msg_string = event.data.toString();
var data = JSON.parse(msg_string);
switch(data.type) {
case 'server_assignment_response': server_assignment_response(data); break;
}
};
}
function session_info_interval() {
postMessage({action: 'RequestSessionInfo' });
logging_interval = setTimeout(session_info_interval,logging_interval_time);
}
function server_assignment_response(data) {
assigned_server = data.selected_server;
socket.close();
connect_to_assigned_server();
}
function request_server_assignment() {
var data_array = {};
data_array.type = 'request_server_assignment';
var msg_string = JSON.stringify(data_array);
if (socket.readyState == 1) { socket.send(msg_string); }
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function connect_to_assigned_server() {
socket = new WebSocket("wss://ws.livesquawk.com/ws"+assigned_server);
socket.onopen = function(event) {
postMessage({ action: 'VisibleConsole',console_string: "Connected to server "+assigned_server });
console.log("Connected to server "+assigned_server);
postMessage({ action: 'ConnectedToAssigned' });
connected_to_assigned = true;
if (playing) {
postMessage({ action: 'RejoinPlayerChannel' });
}
};
socket.onmessage = function(event) {
var msg_string = event.data.toString();
var data = JSON.parse(msg_string);
if (data.type != 'server_ping') { /* console.log(data.type); */ }
switch(data.type) {
case 'reconnect': postMessage({ action: 'VisibleConsole',console_string: "Reconnected" }); break;
case 'reload': postMessage({ action: 'Reload' }); break;
case 'start_log_response': start_log_response(data); break;
case 'application_refresh_start': application_refresh_start(data); break;
case 'application_refresh_stop': application_refresh_stop(data); break;
case 'player_log_request':
case 'check_channel_status_response': check_channel_status_response(data); break;
case 'PlayerLogRequest':
case 'new_tweet':
case 'new_latest_news':
case 'delete_report':
case 'add_report':
case 'add_ref_doc':
case 'calendar_change':
case 'calendar_insert':
case 'calendar_delete':
case 'new_note':
case 'AppStart':
case 'AppStop':
case 'BroadcasterStarted':
case 'BroadcasterStopped':
case 'added_cme_report':
case 'updated_cme_report':
case 'added_cme_commentary':
case 'updated_cme_commentary':
case 'server_assignment_response':
case 'initial_messages':
case 'message_categories':
case 'more_messages':
case 'matched_messages':
pass_straight_to_post_message(data);
break;
case 'output':
case 'server_ping':
case 'reconnect':
case 'disconnect':
break;
}
};
socket.onerror = function(event) {
postMessage({ action: 'VisibleConsole',console_string: "LS Socket Error" + event.type });
console.log(event);
postMessage({ action: 'LSSocketConnectionError' });
};
socket.onclose = function(event) {
console.log('Socket is closed. Reconnect will be attempted in 1 second.', event.reason);
socket_close_timeout = setTimeout(connect_to_assigned_server, reconnection_delay);
reconnection_delay = reconnection_delay*reconnectionDelayGrowFactor;
connected_to_assigned = false;
};
}
function checkSocketConnectionState() {
postMessage({ action: 'SocketConnectionState', connected: Boolean(socket && socket.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN && connected_to_assigned ), });
}
function close_socket() {
clearTimeout(socket_close_timeout);
socket_close_timeout = null;
socket.onclose = function(event) {};
socket.onmessage = function(event) {};
socket.onerror = function(event) {};
socket.close(1000);
console.log('Socket Closed');
}
function pass_straight_to_post_message(data) {
data.action = data.type;
postMessage(data);
}
function join_player_channel(data) {
var data_array = {};
data_array.type = 'join_player_channel';
data_array.player_channel = data.player_channel;
data_array.remote_ip = data.remote_ip;
data_array.username = data.username;
data_array.app_name = data.app_name;
data_array.onair_status = data.onair_status;
data_array.http_referrer = data.http_referrer;
data_array.current_page = data.current_page;
data_array.php_session_id = data.php_session_id;
var msg_string = JSON.stringify(data_array);
if (socket.readyState == 1) { socket.send(msg_string); }
postMessage({action: 'PlayerChannelJoined' });
playing = true;
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function start_log_response(data) {
session_info.session_id = data.log_record_id;
session_info_interval();
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function application_refresh_start(data) {
if (data.app_name == session_info.application_name) { postMessage({action: 'ApplicationRefreshStart' }); }
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function application_refresh_stop(data) {
if (data.app_name == session_info.application_name) { postMessage({action: 'ApplicationRefreshStop' }); }
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function set_static_session_info(data) {
session_info.browser_codename = data.browser_codename;
session_info.browser_name = data.browser_name;
session_info.user_agent = data.user_agent;
session_info.browser_version = data.browser_version;
session_info.cookies_enabled = data.cookies_enabled;
session_info.platform = data.platform;
session_info.player_version = data.player_version;
session_info.stream = data.stream;
session_info.connection_protocol = data.protocol;
session_info.delay_target = data.delay_target;
session_info.session_email = data.session_email;
session_info.remote_ip = data.remote_ip;
session_info.php_session_id = data.php_session_id;
session_info.application_name = data.application_name;
session_info.http_referrer = data.http_referrer;
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function start_log() {
var session_start_date = new Date();
session_start_time = session_start_date.getTime();
var months = ['Jan','Feb','Mar','Apr','May','Jun','Jul','Aug','Sep','Oct','Nov','Dec'];
var session_start_date_string = session_start_date.getDate() + " " + months[session_start_date.getMonth()] + " " + session_start_date.getFullYear();
var data_array = {};
data_array.type = 'webrtc_start_log';
data_array.remote_ip = session_info.remote_ip;
data_array.username = session_info.session_email;
data_array.php_session_id = session_info.php_session_id;
data_array.webrtc_protocol = '';
data_array.session_start_time = (session_start_time/1000).toFixed(0);
data_array.stream_name = session_info.stream;
data_array.session_start_date = session_start_date_string;
var msg_string = JSON.stringify(data_array);
if (socket.readyState == 1) { socket.send(msg_string); }
}
function update_session_info(data) {
var data_array = {};
var msg_string = '';
var current_date = new Date();
var current_time = current_date.getTime();
session_info.protocol = data.protocol;
session_info.curr_delay = (data.effective_latency / 1000).toFixed(2);
session_info.session_length = current_time - session_start_time;
session_info.ping_time = data.ping_time;
session_info.jitter = data.jitter;
session_info.packet_loss = data.packet_loss;
session_info.effective_latency = data.effective_latency;
session_info.mean_opinion_score = data.mean_opinion_score;
session_info.restarts = data.restarts;
if (socket_emits == 0) {
data_array = {};
data_array.type = 'webrtc_log_data_full';
data_array.connection_protocol = session_info.protocol;
data_array.threshold = 0;
data_array.curr_delay = session_info.curr_delay;
data_array.session_length = session_info.session_length;
data_array.date = current_time;
data_array.browser_codename = session_info.browser_codename;
data_array.browser_name = session_info.browser_name;
data_array.user_agent = session_info.user_agent;
data_array.browser_version = session_info.browser_version;
data_array.cookies_enabled = session_info.cookies_enabled;
data_array.platform = session_info.platform;
data_array.player_version = session_info.player_version;
data_array.stream = session_info.stream;
data_array.restarts = session_info.restarts;
data_array.delay_target = 0;
data_array.op_sys = '';
data_array.flash_version = '';
data_array.remote_ip = session_info.remote_ip;
data_array.http_referrer = session_info.http_referrer;
data_array.php_session_id = session_info.php_session_id;
data_array.user_email = session_info.session_email;
data_array.webrtc_protocol = session_info.protocol;
data_array.ping_time = session_info.ping_time;
data_array.jitter = session_info.jitter;
data_array.packet_loss = session_info.packet_loss;
data_array.effective_latency = session_info.effective_latency;
data_array.mean_opinion_score = session_info.mean_opinion_score;
data_array.session_id = session_info.session_id;
msg_string = JSON.stringify(data_array);
if (socket.readyState == 1) { socket.send(msg_string); }
}
else {
data_array = {};
data_array.type = 'webrtc_log_data';
data_array.session_id = session_info.session_id;
data_array.php_session_id = session_info.php_session_id;
data_array.connection_protocol = session_info.protocol;
data_array.restarts = session_info.restarts;
data_array.threshold = 0;
data_array.curr_delay = session_info.curr_delay;
data_array.session_length = session_info.session_length;
data_array.date = current_time;
data_array.webrtc_protocol = session_info.protocol;
data_array.ping_time = session_info.ping_time;
data_array.jitter = session_info.jitter;
data_array.packet_loss = session_info.packet_loss;
data_array.effective_latency = session_info.effective_latency;
data_array.mean_opinion_score = session_info.mean_opinion_score;
data_array.stream = session_info.stream;
msg_string = JSON.stringify(data_array);
if (socket.readyState == 1) { socket.send(msg_string); }
}
socket_emits++;
if (socket_emits == 100) { socket_emits = 0; }
}
- Lagarde set to exit after February rate decision
- Energy prices pose risks to growth, inflation
- Rates expected to rise in December, early 2027 - traders
By Eric Culp
European Editor, LiveSquawk News
@eculp.bsky.social
@EricCulpLS
29 October 2026 | 16:00 GMT
FRANKFURT – European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde used the public lender’s latest rate decision meeting to announce a personal decision, her departure from the bank eight months earlier than planned.
Her employer noted that the governing council, which this week voted to keep interest rates at current levels, thanked her “warmly and gave her a long standing ovation.” If that was the case, then the clapping likely exceeded the time needed to read the press release about her exit, a curt, three-sentence statement.
While her revelation was not a surprise – rumours about her leaving have been around for months – the timing was unexpected. Speculation says the early out is to circumvent any influence from France’s National Front party in the selection of her successor. The hard-right group and its anti-Europe dogma could muddy the water during the selection process: French elections are set for April 18, and normally the incoming ECB president would assume office next October.
Two economists are the front-runners for the job: Dutchman Klaus Knot and Spaniard Pablo Hernandez de Cos, both of whom head their national central banks, which means they have experience at the big table in Frankfurt as members of the governing council.
Attempting to focus on monetary policy during the press conference, Lagarde rebuffed initial queries about her plans until the final minutes of the Q&A. But even then, it felt like she was holding back. The Frenchwoman talked about leaving so can she speak her mind more freely without the obligation of political impartiality that comes with her current job. However, she did not focus on any country, including France.
“I think that my voice can help,” she said. “I don’t think I can remain neutral.”
December hike likely barring surprises
The bank said Thursday it would keep its benchmark deposit rate at 2.50% and the main refinancing rate to 2.65%. The widely expected rate hold followed hikes in September and June, with the latter representing the first increase in almost three years.
EUR/USD moved briefly below 1.111 on the announcement. EUR/GBP was below 0.835 in afternoon European trading.
After Thursday’s decision and press conference, traders increased bets on a December hike, with their expectations of a March increase easing to just above a coin flip.
“Unless there is a major development, the path is quite clear,” Largarde said. For many, this was forward guidance pointing to a rate hike in December. Such a move would be the third in a row in the final month of a fiscal quarter.
“We expect a 25bp hike to 2.75% in December, which Lagarde clearly signalled during the press conference,” Danske Bank said in a note. “However, the press release had a greater dovish focus on the lack of second-round effects and stable core inflation, so we continue to see 2.75% as the terminal rate.”
Energy prices pressure inflation, growth
Price stability is the ECB’s focus, and boy do they have work to do. Inflation in the Eurozone hit a three-year high of 3.8% in September, and the ECB target is 2.0% in the medium term. Some analysts expect inflation of 4% this quarter. The central bank said Thursday that energy prices “pose upside risks to the inflation outlook."
Analysts’ inflation projections for this month in the Big Four euro area countries are mixed, with the German EU-harmonised reading expected to ease to 3.1% from 3.3% in August, thanks largely to a 17 cent reduction in the country's fuel tax. Spanish consumer price growth was expected to slip this month, but the decline is forecast at 4.9% versus 5.0% last month, so more than double the ECB target. Italy and France are likely to report higher rates of consumer price growth, analysts said. The initial estimate for euro area inflation is due Wednesday morning.
At the same time, the ECB is also tasked with supporting economic growth. Lagarde said business activity picked up last quarter, a claim that appeared to be backed by PMI data. The EU is scheduled to release preliminary Q3 GDP numbers on Friday, with expectations for a drop to 0.2% q/q from July-September’s 0.6%, a number inflated by a 10.2% result in Ireland.
The bank warned that rising energy prices could stunt growth in the single currency area.
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