EUR/USD extends gains for the second successive day, trading around 1.1620 during the Asian hours on Friday. The Euro (EUR) finds support as recent Eurozone inflation data solidified market expectations for a near-certain 25-basis-point rate hike by the European Central Bank (ECB) at its June 11 meeting. Traders are pricing in a total of two or three rate increases for the year.
Eurozone headline inflation climbed to 3.2% in May, marking its highest level in over two and a half years. Furthermore, core inflation accelerated to 2.5%, and services inflation rose to 3.5%, a clear indication that price pressures are broadening significantly beyond the volatile energy sector.
The EUR/USD pair holds losses as the US Dollar (USD) flatlines amid market caution ahead of the upcoming US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report for fresh direction. Present projections indicate that the US economy added 85,000 jobs in May, with the Unemployment Rate expected to hold steady at 4.3%.
Traders adopt caution due to a complex web of developments surrounding a potential US-Iran peace agreement to end recent hostilities. Tensions remain highly elevated following warnings from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who declared that the strategic Strait of Hormuz falls within Iranian and Omani territorial waters and asserted that US regional military bases are active targets for retaliation.
US President Donald Trump offered an optimistic outlook early Wednesday, stating that Iran is close to signing a peace framework and that a breakthrough could occur over the weekend. Adding to the regional complexity, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed on Thursday that Israel will sustain military operations in Lebanon despite a ceasefire, preventing displaced residents from returning.
Euro FAQs
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.
Read the full article here
