EUR/USD Forecast: Euro could break out of range after US inflation data
- EUR/USD trades in a narrow range ahead of key US data.
- Annual CPI inflation in the US is forecast to rise to 3.4% in March.
- Markets see a nearly 45% probability of the Fed leaving the policy rate unchanged in June.
EUR/USD lost its traction and closed flat on Tuesday after rising toward 1.0900 earlier in the day. The pair holds steady at around 1.0850 on Wednesday as markets gear up for the inflation data release from the US.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is forecast to rise 3.4% on a yearly basis in March, following the 3.2% increase recorded in February. On a monthly basis, the CPI and the core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, are both forecast to rise 0.3%.
The CME FedWatch Tool shows that investor are currently pricing in a nearly 45% probability of the Federal Reserve (Fed) opting for another policy hold in June. The market positioning suggests that inflation data could significantly influence the US Dollar's valuation.
Euro price this week
The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies this week. Euro was the strongest against the Japanese Yen.
| USD | EUR | GBP | CAD | AUD | JPY | NZD | CHF | |
| USD | -0.25% | -0.51% | -0.29% | -0.82% | 0.11% | -1.12% | 0.05% | |
| EUR | 0.26% | -0.25% | -0.03% | -0.54% | 0.37% | -0.85% | 0.31% | |
| GBP | 0.51% | 0.26% | 0.23% | -0.30% | 0.62% | -0.60% | 0.56% | |
| CAD | 0.29% | 0.03% | -0.22% | -0.52% | 0.41% | -0.83% | 0.34% | |
| AUD | 0.82% | 0.56% | 0.31% | 0.53% | 0.92% | -0.29% | 0.85% | |
| JPY | -0.11% | -0.38% | -0.64% | -0.40% | -0.94% | -1.23% | -0.06% | |
| NZD | 1.12% | 0.86% | 0.61% | 0.83% | 0.31% | 1.22% | 1.16% | |
| CHF | -0.05% | -0.31% | -0.57% | -0.34% | -0.87% | 0.06% | -1.18% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/JPY (quote).
A monthly core CPI reading of 0.4% or higher could cause participants to lean toward a no change in the Fed policy in June and trigger a USD rally with the immediate reaction, forcing EUR/USD to turn south. On the other hand, a print of 0.2% could revive expectations for a June rate cut and weigh heavily on the USD. In this scenario, EUR/USD could gather bullish momentum and climb out of its weekly trading range.
EUR/USD Technical Analysis
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator on the 4-hour chart stays above 50, pointing to a slightly bullish bias. On the upside, the Fibonacci 61.8% retracement of the latest downtrend aligns as first resistance at 1.0870. If the pair manages to flip this level into support, it could target 1.0900 (Fibonacci 78.6% retracement) and 1.0950 (beginning point of the downtrend) next.
First support could be seen at 1.0840-1.0830 (Fibonacci 50% retracement, 100-period SMA) before 1.0780 (Fibonacci 23.6% retracement).
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.
Author
Eren Sengezer
FXStreet
As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.
