EUR/USD falls to near 1.0650 as ECB expects to pursue more aggressive rate cuts than Fed


  • EUR/USD slips as the ECB is anticipated to implement more aggressive interest rate cuts compared to the Fed.
  • German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed willingness to move the parliamentary confidence vote forward by several weeks.
  • The US Dollar gains ground as Trump’s fiscal policies could potentially heighten inflation risks.

The EUR/USD pair continues its decline for a third consecutive session, trading around 1.0640 during Asian hours on Tuesday. Fiscal policies anticipated under US President-Elect Donald Trump may negatively impact the European economy, adding pressure on the Euro.

Expectations that the European Central Bank (ECB) will pursue more aggressive rate cuts than the Federal Reserve (Fed) are also weighing on the Euro. The ECB is anticipated to reduce rates by 25 basis points in December, with markets projecting a decline to 2% by June. The CME FedWatch Tool currently shows a 65.3% probability that the Fed will lower rates by a quarter percentage point at its December meeting.

Politically, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has shown openness to advancing the parliamentary confidence vote by several weeks, potentially moving it up to before Christmas. This could set the stage for an early election.

The US Dollar (USD) continues to gain strength following the confirmation of Trump’s victory in the US election. Analysts believe that if Trump’s fiscal policies are enacted, they could stimulate investment, spending, and labor demand, potentially heightening inflation risks. This could lead the Federal Reserve to adopt a more hawkish monetary policy, further supporting the Greenback.

On Sunday, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari remarked that the US economy has demonstrated impressive resilience as the Fed works to control inflation. However, Kashkari emphasized that the Fed is "not all the way home" and will need additional evidence to ensure inflation fully returns to the 2% target before considering another rate cut.

Traders will likely focus on the German Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices and the ZEW Survey – Economic Sentiment, scheduled for Tuesday. Attention will then turn to the US inflation data set for release on Wednesday, which could provide key insights into future US monetary policy.

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.

Share: Feed news

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. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

AUD/USD extends the range play amid mixed cues

AUD/USD extends the range play amid mixed cues

AUD/USD consolidates below the 0.6500 mark on Tuesday and remains confined in a familiar range held over the past two weeks or so. Persistent geopolitical risks, US-China trade war concerns and a bullish USD sentiment continue to act as a headwind for the currency pair. That said, the RBA's hawkish stance and a positive risk tone seem to lend support to the risk-sensitive Aussie.

AUD/USD News
EUR/USD backslides into 1.05 as Euro bids remain elusive

EUR/USD backslides into 1.05 as Euro bids remain elusive

EUR/USD kicked off another trading week with a decline back into familiar near-term lows, flubbing a fresh run at the 1.0600 handle and backsliding into 1.0500, shedding nearly eight-tenths of a percent on Monday.

EUR/USD News
Gold hovers around $2,640 without directional strength

Gold hovers around $2,640 without directional strength

Gold starts the new week on the back foot and trades below $2,650. The renewed US Dollar strength and the recovery seen in the US Treasury bond yields don't allow the pair to stage a rebound despite the risk-averse market atmosphere.

Gold News
Crypto Today: BTC halts at $98K, Microstrategy buys again as XRP, XMR, DASH emerge top gainers

Crypto Today: BTC halts at $98K, Microstrategy buys again as XRP, XMR, DASH emerge top gainers

Bitcoin price failed another attempt at breaching the $100,000 mark on Monday, as investors’ attention remains skewed towards the altcoin markets. Despite another large purchase from Microstrategy, Ethereum, Ripple and Litecoin all outperformed BTC within the daily timeframe. 

Read more
Trump warns BRICS over Dollar rival plans

Trump warns BRICS over Dollar rival plans

Donald Trump, the incoming U.S. President, has issued a strong warning to BRICS nations over their plans to challenge the dominance of the U.S. dollar in global trade. 

Read more
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.

Read More

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures