|

EUR/JPY retreats from YTD high amid softer Eurozone CPI, cautious BoJ

  • EUR/JPY weakens for a second day, slipping below recent peaks amid cooling Eurozone inflation.
  • Eurozone headline CPI confirmed at 1.9% in May, falling below ECB’s target for the first time since September 2024.
  • Japan’s May trade data reveals a 1.7% drop in exports and 7.7% fall in imports, highlighting external challenges.

The Euro (EUR) extends its decline against the Japanese Yen (JPY) for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, retreating further after briefly touching a year-to-date peak of 167.62 on Tuesday.

EUR/JPY is navigating a choppy market, trading around 166.43 in the American trading session, hovering below the previous day’s low. The pair is down nearly 0.20% on the day as traders weigh soft Eurozone inflation and cautious central bank signals.

Fresh Eurozone data continues to highlight a cooling inflation trend alongside pockets of resilience in the labor market and services activity. Headline inflation slipped below the European Central Bank’s (ECB) 2% target in May, giving policymakers room to ease borrowing costs further after their recent 25 basis point rate cut.

The Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices was confirmed at 1.9% YoY in May 2025, slipping below the European Central Bank’s (ECB) 2% target for the first time since September 2024, signaling easing price pressures in the bloc. Meanwhile, the annual core inflation rate, which strips out volatile components such as energy, food, alcohol, and tobacco, moderated to 2.3% in May.

With inflation showing clear signs of cooling, investors increasingly expect the European Central Bank (ECB) to hold rates steady at its upcoming July meeting. Several ECB policymakers have signalled a preference for patience, urging a wait-and-see approach as economic risks persist. Governing Council member Robert Holzmann stated that the ECB should refrain from cutting rates further until at least September, while Executive Board member Isabel Schnabel cautioned that “new shocks” could still materialize despite the disinflation trend, reinforcing the case for a careful, data-dependent policy stance in the months ahead.

Turning to Japan, the Bank of Japan left its key rate unchanged at 0.5% this week, reiterating that any future moves will depend on how global risks and domestic inflation unfold. Trade figures released on Wednesday revealed a challenging backdrop, with exports falling 1.7% YoY, driven by weaker car shipments to the United States. Meanwhile, imports dropped 7.7% amid subdued domestic demand and the impact of rising US tariffs. The data underscores the BOJ’s cautious path forward as it balances inflation control with external headwinds.

Euro PRICE Today

The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies today. Euro was the strongest against the Swiss Franc.

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD-0.25%-0.27%-0.43%0.07%-0.53%-0.39%0.08%
EUR0.25%-0.02%-0.22%0.24%-0.38%-0.07%0.34%
GBP0.27%0.02%-0.21%0.25%-0.37%-0.18%0.37%
JPY0.43%0.22%0.21%0.54%-0.07%0.28%0.76%
CAD-0.07%-0.24%-0.25%-0.54%-0.60%-0.44%0.11%
AUD0.53%0.38%0.37%0.07%0.60%0.32%0.74%
NZD0.39%0.07%0.18%-0.28%0.44%-0.32%0.42%
CHF-0.08%-0.34%-0.37%-0.76%-0.11%-0.74%-0.42%

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).

Author

Vishal Chaturvedi

I am a macro-focused research analyst with over four years of experience covering forex and commodities market. I enjoy breaking down complex economic trends and turning them into clear, actionable insights that help traders stay ahead of the curve.

More from Vishal Chaturvedi
Share:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD moves sideways below 1.1800 on Christmas Eve

EUR/USD struggles to find direction and trades in a narrow channel below 1.1800 after posting gains for two consecutive days. Bond and stock markets in the US will open at the usual time and close early on Christmas Eve, allowing the trading action to remain subdued. 

GBP/USD keeps range around 1.3500 amid quiet markets

GBP/USD keeps its range trade intact at around 1.3500 on Wednesday. The Pound Sterling holds the upper hand over the US Dollar amid pre-Christmas light trading as traders move to the sidelines heading into the holiday season. 

Gold retreats from record highs, trades below $4,500

Gold retreats after setting a new record-high above $4,520 earlier in the day and trades in a tight range below $4,500 as trading volumes thin out ahead of the Christmas break. The US Dollar selling bias remains unabated on the back of dovish Fed expectations, which continues to act as a tailwind for the bullion amid persistent geopolitical risks.

Bitcoin slips below $87,000 as ETF outflows intensify, whale participation declines

Bitcoin price continues to trade around $86,770 on Wednesday, after failing to break above the $90,000 resistance. US-listed spot ETFs record an outflow of $188.64 million on Tuesday, marking the fourth consecutive day of withdrawals.

Economic outlook 2026-2027 in advanced countries: Solidity test

After a year marked by global economic resilience and ending on a note of optimism, 2026 looks promising and could be a year of solid economic performance. In our baseline scenario, we expect most of the supportive factors at work in 2025 to continue to play a role in 2026.

Avalanche struggles near $12 as Grayscale files updated form for ETF

Avalanche trades close to $12 by press time on Wednesday, extending the nearly 2% drop from the previous day. Grayscale filed an updated form to convert its Avalanche-focused Trust into an ETF with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.