As I wrote the last time we talked about this, I am not expecting rate hikes in 2010 for the eurozone. Since then (January) the uptick in the economy has been larger than expected but more so in the US. There still are no inflationary pressures. One has to keep an eye on commodity prices for that matter.
In the last month another reason has popped up for not raising rates: Greece. The divergence between the PIIGS and Germany has widened, which will make interest rate policy quite difficult when inflation finally steps in again. But for now it seems more than clear that e.g. greece shouldn't and cannot bear quick rate hikes.
Therefore I still see realative value in fixed coupons relative to floating coupons. Even more so as market has begun to price in rate hikes and still has to realize that those might not come in the foreseeable future. The japanese scenario is still possible... I would definitely sell steepeners and look for 1/3 FLR and 2/3 fixed for the time being.
Greetings from Berlin!