- EUR/USD trades cautiously around 1.1350, while investors look for fresh cues on trade relations between the US and China.
- The ECB is expected to cut interest rates again in the June meeting.
- ECB’s Knot sees demand shocks and disinflation due to Trump’s tariffs in the near term.
EUR/USD ticks lower to near 1.1350 in European trading hours on Monday. The major currency pair edges lower as the Euro (EUR) underperforms its peers ahead of the flash Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) data of April and Q1 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the Eurozone and its major nations, which will be published this week. The inflation and economic growth data will significantly influence market expectations for the European Central Bank’s (ECB) monetary policy outlook.
According to market expectations, the Eurozone headline HICP would return to the ECB target of 2%, the slowest growth in price pressures since October 2024. In March, the inflation data rose by 2.2%. The Eurozone GDP growth is estimated to have grown at a steady pace of 0.2% QoQ in the first quarter. Moderate inflation growth would increase traders’ confidence that the ECB would cut interest rates again in the June policy meeting.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported on Saturday that ECB policymakers are becoming increasingly confident about cutting interest rates in June as inflation continues to fall. Still, there is little to no appetite for a big move. However, the report has not highlighted the names of ECB officials who have guided the chances of further monetary policy expansion.
ECB policymaker and Dutch central bank governor Klaas Knot stated in an interview with Dutch financial daily FD over the weekend that the June monetary policy will be more “complex” as long-term inflation risks have skewed on “both sides”. Knot signaled caution that the tariff policy by the US could lead to a decline in demand and disinflation in the near term. “In the short term, it’s 100% clear that the demand shock will dominate, so inflation will go down,” Knot said.
On the global front, the uncertainty over trade relations between the US and the Eurozone has also kept the Euro on the sidelines. European Union (EU) Economic Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis has expressed concerns over having a deal with the US in the near term, while speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings in Washington, Reuters reported. “There’s a lot of work ahead to come to more concrete parameters and elements and areas of cooperation which would allow us to avoid the implementation of tariffs,” Dombrovskis said.
Daily digest market movers: EUR/USD drops while US Dollar ticks higher
- EUR/USD edges lower as the US Dollar (USD) ticks higher despite ambiguity over trade discussions between the United States (US) and China. Contradictory statements from Washington and Beijing over whether US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have talked on trade terms have forced investors to stay on the sidelines.
- President Trump has stated that trade discussions between Washington and Beijing are going well. However, China has denied these remarks, saying there have been no “economic and trade negotiations between China and the US”. On Friday, a spokesperson from the Chinese embassy said, “China and the US are not having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs,” Reuters reported.
- After comments from Beijing, Trump stated in an interview with Time Magazine that China’s Xi Jinping had called him. “He’s called,” Trump said, and added, “I don’t think that’s a sign of weakness on his behalf.” Trump also clarified late Friday that Xi had called numerous times since he unveiled his tariff plan. “I don’t want to comment on that, but I’ve spoken to him numerous times,” Trump said to reporters, Reuters reported.
- Meanwhile, US Treasury Scott Bessent has also not confirmed any trade talks between the presidents of the US and China. “I don’t know if President Trump has spoken with President Xi,” Bessent said, ABC reported.
- This week, the major trigger for the US Dollar will be a slew of US economic data, including the Nonfarm payrolls (NFP) on Friday.
Technical Analysis: EUR/USD consolidates around 1.1350
EUR/USD trades back-and-forth around 1.1350 in Monday’s European session. The outlook of the major currency pair remains bullish as the 20-week Exponential Moving Average (EMA) is sloping higher around 1.0885.
The 14-week Relative Strength Index (RSI) climbs to near overbought levels above 70.00 in the weekly chart, which indicates a strong bullish momentum, but chances of some correction cannot be ruled out.
Looking up, the psychological level of 1.1500 will be the major resistance for the pair. Conversely, the July 2023 high of 1.1276 will be a key support for the Euro bulls.
Economic Indicator
Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (YoY)
The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) measures changes in the prices of a representative basket of goods and services in the European Monetary Union. The HICP, released by Eurostat on a monthly basis, is harmonized because the same methodology is used across all member states and their contribution is weighted. The YoY reading compares prices in the reference month to a year earlier. Generally, a high reading is seen as bullish for the Euro (EUR), while a low reading is seen as bearish.
Read more.
Next release:
Fri May 02, 2025 09:00 (Prel)
Frequency:
Monthly
Consensus:
2.1%
Previous:
2.2%
Source:
Eurostat
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