Trichet says will not contradict mkt expectation of further rate hike by yr-end

European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said he will not contradict market expectations that the ECB will hike interest rates once more before the end of the year. But he said he could give no indication on the outlook for rates in 2007. As expected, the ECB governing council raised its key interest rate to 3.25 pct from 3.00 pct today, the fifth rate hike in the current monetary policy cycle. And financial markets are expecting a further 25 basis point rate increase in December. Asked about these expectations, Trichet told a news conference: "I would not say anything that would correct this assumption." But he declined to comment on ECB rates in 2007. "I will not comment on that. We will see what we have to do. We always do what is necessary to deliver price stability in the medium run," he said. Trichet said the ECB governing council was unanimous on today's decision to hike interest rates by 25 basis points. The council rejected the idea of raising rates 50 basis points or of leaving them unchanged, he said.