EUR/USD Forecast: Euro stabilizes between key levels to start week
- EUR/USD fluctuates in a tight channel above 1.1300 on Monday.
- Markets turn risk-averse ahead of the US ISM Services PMI data for April.
- The near-term technical outlook highlights a lack of directional momentum.
EUR/USD stays relatively quiet to start the week and fluctuates in a tight range above 1.1300 in the European session. The technical outlook confirms the pair's indecisiveness, as investors gear up for this week's key events.
Euro PRICE This week
The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies this week. Euro was the weakest against the US Dollar.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | 0.18% | -0.14% | -0.23% | 0.12% | -0.21% | -0.26% | 0.11% | |
| EUR | -0.18% | -0.05% | -0.18% | 0.20% | -0.12% | -0.17% | 0.19% | |
| GBP | 0.14% | 0.05% | -0.33% | 0.26% | -0.07% | -0.12% | 0.25% | |
| JPY | 0.23% | 0.18% | 0.33% | 0.36% | 0.04% | 0.06% | 0.45% | |
| CAD | -0.12% | -0.20% | -0.26% | -0.36% | -0.62% | -0.38% | -0.01% | |
| AUD | 0.21% | 0.12% | 0.07% | -0.04% | 0.62% | -0.05% | 0.32% | |
| NZD | 0.26% | 0.17% | 0.12% | -0.06% | 0.38% | 0.05% | 0.36% | |
| CHF | -0.11% | -0.19% | -0.25% | -0.45% | 0.01% | -0.32% | -0.36% |
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 US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote).
EUR/USD edged slightly higher on Friday in response to the mixed employment report from the US. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) rose by 177,000 in April. This print came in better than the market expectation of 130,000. On a negative note, the BLS revised February and March NFP prints by 43,000 and 15,000, respectively. Other details of the report showed that the Unemployment Rate remained unchanged at 4.2%, as forecast.
The US economic calendar will feature the ISM Services PMI report for April. In case the headline PMI comes in below 50 and points to a contraction in the service sector's activity, the immediate reaction could hurt the USD and help EUR/USD stretch higher. Nevertheless, investors could refrain from taking large positions before the Federal Reserve (Fed) announces monetary policy decisions on Wednesday.
In the meantime, US stock index futures were last seen losing between 0.6% and 0.7%, reflecting a risk-averse market atmosphere. The USD has been having a difficult time benefiting from safe-haven flows lately. Hence, a bearish action in Wall Street could weigh on the USD and allow EUR/USD to find support.
EUR/USD Technical Analysis
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator on the 4-hour chart moves sideways slightly below 50, suggesting that EUR/USD struggles to gather directional momentum.
The 100-period Simple Moving Average and Fibonacci 23.6% retracement of the latest uptrend form a strong resistance at 1.1380 ahead of 1.1430 (static level) and 1.1500 (static level, round level). On the downside, supports could be located at 1.1270 (Fibonacci 38.2% retracement), 1.1175 (Fibonacci 50% retracement) and 1.1080 (Fibonacci 61.8% retracement).
Euro FAQs
The Euro is the currency for the 19 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.
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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.
