Asian stocks advance ahead of ECB decision Economists said the central bank is likely to keep its current lavish monetary easing intact for now, without pushing interest rates further into negative territory, because of the economy's sustained expansion. A decision by the ECB to not extend its stimulus program of buying 80 billion euros ($86 billion) in bonds a month past the current March deadline could add to concerns over Italy after its premier, Matteo Renzi resigned Wednesday over the resounding rejection of constitutional changes he had backed in a referendum Sunday. Analysts say Donald Trump's victory in the U.S.