Select Language

EUR/USD gathers strength above 1.1100, Eurozone inflation data and Fed rate decision in focus

Breaking news

EUR/USD gathers strength above 1.1100, Eurozone inflation data and Fed rate decision in focus

  • X
  • facebook
  • LINE
  • RSS

  • X
  • facebook
  • LINE
  • RSS
New update 2024.09.18 13:48
EUR/USD gathers strength above 1.1100, Eurozone inflation data and Fed rate decision in focus

update 2024.09.18 13:48

  • EUR/USD gains traction near 1.1125 in Wednesday's Asian session. 
  • The Fed is widely expected to reduce the benchmark overnight interest rate on Wednesday. 
  • Investors await the Eurozone HICP data, which is expected to show an increase of 2.2% YoY in August. 

The EUR/USD pair trades on a stronger note around 1.1125 during the Asian trading hours on Wednesday. The rising expectation of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) deeper rate cut provides some support to the major pair. The Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) data and the Fed monetary policy meeting will be the highlights on Wednesday.

The markets have remained split on whether the Fed should cut interest rates by 25 or 50 basis points (bps). Futures on the Fed funds rate have priced in nearly 60% odds of a 50 bps rate cut by the Fed at its September meeting on Wednesday, up from 45% last Friday, according to the LSEG.

Boris Kovacevic, global macro strategist at Convera in Vienna, said, "If they go 50, there is a chance that the Fed has some information that investors don't have and that recession risks are more likely than currently anticipated and priced in."

The US Retail Sales unexpectedly rose 0.1% MoM in August versus 1.1% prior, better than the expectation of -0.2%, the US Census Bureau showed Tuesday. Meanwhile, Industrial Production jumped 0.8% MoM in August, compared to a decline of 0.6% in July, above the consensus of 0.2%. 

Less dovish interest rate guidance from European Central Bank (ECB) officials underpins the Euro (EUR) against the USD. ECB policymakers emphasized that the central bank will remain data-dependent when it comes to making future monetary policy decisions.

Investors will monitor the Eurozone HICP inflation data, which is due later on Wednesday. The headline HICP is expected to show an increase of 2.2% YoY in August, while the core HICP is estimated to show a rise of 2.8% in the same period.

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.

 


Date

Created

 : 2024.09.18

Update

Last updated

 : 2024.09.18

Related articles


Show more

FXStreet

Financial media

arrow
FXStreet

FXStreet is a forex information website, delivering market analysis and news articles 24/7.
It features a number of articles contributed by well-known analysts, in addition to the ones by its editorial team.
Founded in 2000 by Francesc Riverola, a Spanish economist, it has grown to become a world-renowned information website.

Was this article helpful?

We hope you find this article useful. Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  
We are also looking for writers with extensive experience in forex and crypto to join us.

please contact us at [email protected].

Thank you for your feedback.
Thank you for your feedback.

Most viewed

Don't bet against the US consumer - Commerzbank

After EUR/USD showed almost no imminent reaction to the ECB statement yesterday, the US retail sales figures, which were published shortly afterwards, were more capable to cause a stir, before the ECB press conference took over, Commerzbank's FX analyst Michael Pfister notes.
New
update2024.10.18 19:15

USD/CHF clings to gains above 0.8650 as Fed seems to cut interest rates gradually

The USD/CHF pair holds onto gains near an eight-week high of 0.8670 in Friday's London session.
New
update2024.10.18 19:14

AUD/USD: Levels to monitor are 0.6650 and 0.6620 - UOB Group

The Australian Dollar (AUD) is likely to trade in a 0.6680/0.6725 range.
New
update2024.10.18 19:12

If you don't fly high, you can't land hard - Commerzbank

By and large, the ECB delivered what was expected yesterday.
New
update2024.10.18 19:07

Gold plants flag above fresh all-time high at $2,700 on increased prospects of global easing

Gold (XAU/USD) establishes a foothold above the $2,700 psychological level on Friday after piercing through above this level on the previous day, setting yet another fresh all-time high.
New
update2024.10.18 19:04

EUR/JPY Price Prediction: Fails to break out and declines to key make-or-break trendline

EUR/JPY declines after multiple failed attempts to break out of the top of its range high.
New
update2024.10.18 18:59

GBP/USD: Expected to trade in a 1.2985/1.3050 range - UOB Group

The Pound Sterling (GBP) is expected to trade in a 1.2985/1.3050 range.
New
update2024.10.18 18:59

Talk sense, not sentiment - UBS

There are times when readers of financial journalism may question whether they have wandered into the twilight zone.
New
update2024.10.18 18:55

EUR: Lagarde puts a cap on the Euro - ING

ECB President Christine Lagarde sounded a bit more dovish than usual at yesterday's post-meeting press conference.
New
update2024.10.18 18:47

USD: Dollar rally has more to go - ING

US retail sales came in strong yesterday, and the timing of their release (15 minutes after the European Central Bank cut) worked perfectly to favour another leg higher in the US Dollar (USD), ING's FX analyst Francesco Pesole notes.
New
update2024.10.18 18:39

Disclaimer:arw

All information and content provided on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to solicit any investment. Although all efforts are made in order to ensure that the information is correct, no guarantee is provided for the accuracy of any content on this website. Any decision made shall be the responsibility of the investor and Myforex does not take any responsibility whatsoever regarding the use of any information provided herein.

The content provided on this website belongs to Myforex and, where stated, the relevant licensors. All rights are reserved by Myforex and the relevant licensors, and no content of this website, whether in full or in part, shall be copied or displayed elsewhere without the explicit written permission of the relevant copyright holder. If you wish to use any part of the content provided on this website, please ensure that you contact Myforex.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LINE

Myforex uses cookies to improve the convenience and functionality of this website. This website may include cookies not only by us but also by third parties (advertisers, log analysts, etc.) for the purpose of tracking the activities of users. Cookie policy

I agree
share
Share
Cancel