|

EUR/USD around 1.2180 post-ECB, focus now on Draghi

  • ECB left its key rates intact, matching initial estimates.
  • The pair stays positive near the 1.2200 handle.
  • Press conference by President M.Draghi coming up next.

The single currency keeps the positive tone after the European Central Bank left its monetary policy intact at today’s meeting, with EUR/USD around the 1.2180 area, close to daily highs.

EUR/USD focused now on Draghi

Spot remained apathetic today after the ECB’s Governing Council left its monetary status quo unchanged at today’s meeting, matching the broad consensus.

In fact, the ECB left the interest rate on the main refinancing operations at 0.00%, the interest rate on the marginal lending facility at 0.25% and the deposit facility at 0 -0.40%.

Additionally, and broadly expected as well, the Governing Council left QE running at €30 billion/month until September 2018.

Spot keeps the daily range in the wake of the release, posting moderate gains amidst some selling pressure around the buck and declining US 10-year yields.

Later in the day, President Mario Draghi will hold his usual press conference.

EUR/USD levels to watch

At the moment, the pair is gaining 0.14% at 1.2177 facing immediate contention at 1.2160 (low Apr.25) seconded by 1.2153 (low Mar.1) and finally 1.2008 (200-day sma). On the upside, a break above 1.2217 (100-day sma) would target 1.2298 (21-day sma) en route to 1.2414 (high Apr.17).

Author

Pablo Piovano

Born and bred in Argentina, Pablo has been carrying on with his passion for FX markets and trading since his first college years.

More from Pablo Piovano
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD extends slide toward 1.1800 on renewed USD strength

EUR/USD extends its daily slide and trades at a fresh weekly low below 1.1850 in the second half of the day on Tuesday. Renewed US Dollar strength, combined with a softer risk tone keep the pair undermined alongside downbeat German ZEW sentiment readings for February. 

GBP/USD falls below 1.3550, pressured by weak UK jobs report

GBP/USD remains under heavy bearish pressure and falls toward 1.3500 on Tuesday. The UK employment data highlighted worsening labor market conditions, bolstering bets for a BoE interest rate cut next month and making it difficult for Pound Sterling to stay resilient against its peers.

Gold recovers modestly, stays deep in red below $4,950

Gold (XAU/USD) stages a rebound but remains deep in negative territory below $4,950 after touching its weakest level in over a week near $4,850 earlier in the day. Renewed US Dollar strength makes it difficult for XAU/USD to gather recovery momentum despite the risk-averse market atmosphere.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP upside looks limited amid deteriorating retail demand

The cryptocurrency market extends weakness with major coins including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) trading in sideways price action at the time of writing on Tuesday.

UK jobs market weakens, bolstering rate cut hopes

In the UK, the latest jobs report made for difficult reading. Nonetheless, this represents yet another reminder for the Bank of England that they need to act swiftly given the collapse in inflation expected over the coming months. 

Stellar mixed sentiment caps recovery

Stellar price remains under pressure, trading at $0.170 on Tuesday after failing to close above the key resistance on Sunday. The derivatives metric supports the bearish sentiment, with XLM’s short bets rising among traders and funding rates turning negative.