The Euro (EUR) appears offered against the US Dollar (USD) after Wednesday’s opening bell in the old continent, prompting EUR/USD to trade with slight losses in the mid-1.0700s.
On the USD-side of the equation, the Greenback pays another visit to the 104.70-104.80 band when tracked by the USD Index (DXY), helped by a mild uptick in US yields across different maturities ahead of the publication of key US inflation readings for August.
In terms of monetary policy, the anticipation of a potential interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve (Fed) in November seems to have waned recently, while market participants continue to factor in the likelihood of rate cuts taking place in the second quarter of 2024.
Turning our attention to the European Central Bank (ECB), market discussions seem to lean towards a pause after Thursday's meeting and an additional quarter-point rate raise by year-end, given the current state of a somewhat divided Council.
Looking at the euro docket, Industrial Production readings for the broader eurozone will be the sole release later on Wednesday. Across the ocean, the usual weekly Mortgage Applications measured by MBA and the EIA’s report on crude Oil inventories are also due, apart from the key US CPI prints.
EUR/USD’s weekly recovery seems to have met a decent resistance area around 1.0770.
If EUR/USD manages to break below the September 7 low at 1.0685, it may enter a phase of retesting the May 31 low at 1.0635 before potentially reaching the March 15 low at 1.0516. A breach of the latter level could initiate a possible examination of the 2023 low at 1.0481 seen on January 6.
On the upside, the current focus is on targeting the crucial 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 1.0826. Beyond that point, a bullish momentum might lead to a challenge of the weekly peak at 1.0945 from August 30, further supported by the provisional 55-day SMA at 1.0935. Subsequently, this scenario could pave the way for an advance towards the psychological level of 1.1000 and the August high at 1.1064 seen on August 10. If the spot clears this area, it could alleviate some of the bearish pressure and potentially aim for July's 27 peak at 1.1149, followed by the 2023 top at 1.1275 from July 18.
As long as the EUR/USD remains below the 200-day SMA, there is a possibility of a sustained decline in the pair.
The Euro is the currency for the 20 European Union countries that belong to the Eurozone. It is the second most heavily traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar. In 2022, it accounted for 31% of all foreign exchange transactions, with an average daily turnover of over $2.2 trillion a day.
EUR/USD is the most heavily traded currency pair in the world, accounting for an estimated 30% off all transactions, followed by EUR/JPY (4%), EUR/GBP (3%) and EUR/AUD (2%).
The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy.
The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means either controlling inflation or stimulating growth. Its primary tool is the raising or lowering of interest rates. Relatively high interest rates – or the expectation of higher rates – will usually benefit the Euro and vice versa.
The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde.
Eurozone inflation data, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), is an important econometric for the Euro. If inflation rises more than expected, especially if above the ECB’s 2% target, it obliges the ECB to raise interest rates to bring it back under control.
Relatively high interest rates compared to its counterparts will usually benefit the Euro, as it makes the region more attractive as a place for global investors to park their money.
Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact on the Euro. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the single currency.
A strong economy is good for the Euro. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the ECB to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen the Euro. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Euro is likely to fall.
Economic data for the four largest economies in the euro area (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are especially significant, as they account for 75% of the Eurozone’s economy.
Another significant data release for the Euro is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period.
If a country produces highly sought after exports then its currency will gain in value purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.
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