|

EUR/USD: Just Lagarde can avoid falls – Elam

The return of the USD to its more classic safe-haven status makes the euro suffer. Lagarde’s speech could alleviate the weak position of the European currency, Yohay Elam from FXStreet reports.

Key quotes

“The greenback is marginally benefiting from US politics. The Democratic Party's partial results from Iowa has shown that moderate Pete Buttigieg is on top, ahead of left-leaning Bernie Sanders and Elisabeth Warren. Markets prefer candidates with business-friendly policies.”

“President Donald Trump touted the robust US economy in his State of the Union Speech. Fresh figures will test this strength. The ADP private-sector jobs report is forecast to show an increase of 156,000 positions in January, below the substantial of 202,000 reported in December. The figure serves as a hint toward Friday's official Non-Farm Payrolls.”

“Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, delivers a speech in which she may comment on the current economic situation and the bank's strategic review.”

Author

More from FXStreet Team
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD flat lines below 1.1900; divergent Fed-ECB expectations offer support

The EUR/USD pair struggles to capitalize on the overnight bounce from the 1.1835-1.1830 region and oscillates in a narrow band during the Asian session on Thursday. Spot prices currently trade around the 1.1875 area, remaining nearly unchanged for the day and staying within striking distance of an over one-week high, reached on Tuesday, amid mixed cues.

GBP/USD bullish outlook prevails above 1.3600, UK GDP data looms

The GBP/USD pair gains ground near 1.3635, snapping the two-day losing streak during the early European session on Thursday. The preliminary reading of UK Gross Domestic Product for the fourth quarter will be closely watched later on Thursday. The UK economy is estimated to grow 0.2% QoQ in Q4, versus 0.1% in Q1. 

Gold down but not out as focus shifts to more US data

Gold is back in the red near $5,050 early Thursday, having faced strong offers at around the $5,100 mark once again. Buyers keep a close eye on the mid-tier US Jobless Claims data and US-Iran geopolitical developments to regain control.

UK GDP set to post weak growth as markets rise bets on March rate cut

Markets will be watching closely on Thursday, when the United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics will release the advance estimate of Q4 Gross Domestic Product. If the data land in line with consensus, the UK economy would have continued to grow at an annualised pace of 1.2%, compared with 1.3% recorded the previous year. 

The market trades the path not the past

The payroll number did not just beat. It reset the tone. 130,000 vs. 65,000 expected, with a 35,000 whisper. 79 of 80 economists leaning the wrong way. Unemployment and underemployment are edging lower. For all the statistical fog around birth-death adjustments and seasonal quirks, the core message was unmistakable. The labour market is not cracking.

XRP sell-off deepens amid weak retail interest, risk-off sentiment

Ripple (XRP) is edging lower around $1.36 at the time of writing on Wednesday, weighed down by low retail interest and macroeconomic uncertainty, which is accelerating risk-off sentiment.