EUR/USD Forecast: Fakeout at 1.20? Why the euro may suffer a downward correction

Get 50% off on Premium Subscribe to Premium

You have reached your limit of 5 free articles for this month.

Get Premium without limits for only $9.99 for the first month

Access all our articles, insights, and analysts.

coupon

Your coupon code

UNLOCK OFFER

  • EUR/USD has been extending its gains as the dollar declines with yields amid vaccine hopes.
  • Concerns about Germany's covid situation and end-of-month flows may limit gains.
  • Monday's four-hour chart is showing the pair is heading into overbought conditions

Light at the end of the tunnel – and also 1.20 is within reach – but a downtrend correction cannot be ruled out as EUR/USD hits a three-month high. 

The good news pushing the euro higher comes from the vaccine front. British regulators could be the first out the door in approving the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. As BioNTech is a German firm, approval in the EU will likely follow shortly. Moderna's inoculation will likely follow. Even if European and American authorities wait longer, the first immunization program to receive the green light in the West is set to boost markets. 

The US dollar has also been on the back foot as investors take profits on stocks and buy US bonds. The drop in yields is making the greenback less attractive. 

On the other hand, coronavirus is still rampant in the US – where hospitalizations have hit a new high above 93,000 – and Germany. The drop in US infections is likely temporary, a result of reporting issues around the Thanksgiving holiday. Contrary to Spain and France, the old continent's largest economy is struggling to contain the disease and has extended its "lockdown light. "

Source: FT

Germany's economy minister said that that the covid numbers are still "much too high" in most regions. Such comments may limit any euro gains. 

The common currency may also struggle with updated inflation figures. Spain and Germany are set to report preliminary Consumer Price Index statistics for November and they will likely serve as a reminder of economic weakness. Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, is set to speak later and repeat her message of adding stimulus in the upcoming meeting. 

The case for a "fakeout" – a quick move above 1.20 before a sharp correction lower – also comes from end-of-month flows. After EUR/USD advanced from the 1.16 handle early in the month, money managers may balance their portfolios and sell the common currency.

All in all, the trend remains to the upside, but another leg higher could trigger a downfall.

EUR/USD Technical Analysis

Euro/dollar continues trading above the 50, 100 and 200 Simple Moving Averages on the four-hour chart, but the Relative Strength Index is battling the 70 level – pointing to overbought conditions. This development also adds to the case of a downward correction. 

Initial resistance awaits at the daily high of 1.1978. Above the round number of 1.20, the critical level to watch is the 2020 peak of 1.2010. Above that hurdle, the world's most popular currency pair is back to levels last seen in 2018, with 1.2095 as the next target.

Support awaits at 1.1940, a peak seen last week. It is followed by 1.1920, a high point recorded in mid-November, and by 1.1895. 

More Markets return to normal, and traders may be loving it

  • EUR/USD has been extending its gains as the dollar declines with yields amid vaccine hopes.
  • Concerns about Germany's covid situation and end-of-month flows may limit gains.
  • Monday's four-hour chart is showing the pair is heading into overbought conditions

Light at the end of the tunnel – and also 1.20 is within reach – but a downtrend correction cannot be ruled out as EUR/USD hits a three-month high. 

The good news pushing the euro higher comes from the vaccine front. British regulators could be the first out the door in approving the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. As BioNTech is a German firm, approval in the EU will likely follow shortly. Moderna's inoculation will likely follow. Even if European and American authorities wait longer, the first immunization program to receive the green light in the West is set to boost markets. 

The US dollar has also been on the back foot as investors take profits on stocks and buy US bonds. The drop in yields is making the greenback less attractive. 

On the other hand, coronavirus is still rampant in the US – where hospitalizations have hit a new high above 93,000 – and Germany. The drop in US infections is likely temporary, a result of reporting issues around the Thanksgiving holiday. Contrary to Spain and France, the old continent's largest economy is struggling to contain the disease and has extended its "lockdown light. "

Source: FT

Germany's economy minister said that that the covid numbers are still "much too high" in most regions. Such comments may limit any euro gains. 

The common currency may also struggle with updated inflation figures. Spain and Germany are set to report preliminary Consumer Price Index statistics for November and they will likely serve as a reminder of economic weakness. Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, is set to speak later and repeat her message of adding stimulus in the upcoming meeting. 

The case for a "fakeout" – a quick move above 1.20 before a sharp correction lower – also comes from end-of-month flows. After EUR/USD advanced from the 1.16 handle early in the month, money managers may balance their portfolios and sell the common currency.

All in all, the trend remains to the upside, but another leg higher could trigger a downfall.

EUR/USD Technical Analysis

Euro/dollar continues trading above the 50, 100 and 200 Simple Moving Averages on the four-hour chart, but the Relative Strength Index is battling the 70 level – pointing to overbought conditions. This development also adds to the case of a downward correction. 

Initial resistance awaits at the daily high of 1.1978. Above the round number of 1.20, the critical level to watch is the 2020 peak of 1.2010. Above that hurdle, the world's most popular currency pair is back to levels last seen in 2018, with 1.2095 as the next target.

Support awaits at 1.1940, a peak seen last week. It is followed by 1.1920, a high point recorded in mid-November, and by 1.1895. 

More Markets return to normal, and traders may be loving it

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers.


RELATED CONTENT

Loading ...



Copyright © 2024 FOREXSTREET S.L., All rights reserved.