ECB to play up eurozone strength at steady-as-she-goes meeting

The European Central Bank will highlight economic strength in the eurozone in new forecasts Thursday, analysts expect, while avoiding spooking markets with talk of further cuts to its massive support for the economy.

ECB economic growth forecasts could be in for an upgrade this week, after the European Commission last month sharply lifted its predictions to a 2.2 percent expansion in 2017, the fastest pace in a decade.