- EUR/USD jumps to near 1.0830 as Eurozone inflation grew more than expected in July and the US Dollar slumps.
- Eurozone annual headline HICP surprisingly accelerated while the core figure grew steadily.
- The US Dollar weakens on expectations that the Fed will deliver a dovish guidance on interest rates.
The EUR/USD pair moves higher to near 1.0830 in Wednesday’s European session. The major currency pair rises as price pressures in Eurozone grew at a faster-than-expected pace in July. This has raised doubts about whether the European Central Bank (ECB) will resume its policy easing cycle in the September meeting.
Preliminary Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) report for July showed that annual headline and core inflation, which strips off volatile items such as: food, energy, alcohol, and tobacco, surprisingly accelerated. The headline HICP unexpectedly rose to 2.6%, while economists expected the inflation figure to decelerate to 2.4% from June’s reading of 2.5%. The core HICP grew steadily 2.9% against expectations of 2.8%.
Investors were expecting the ECB to cut interest rates two more times this year. However, stubborn inflation data suggests that price pressures will face several bumps in their sustainable return towards 2%, which is expected in 2025.
Meanwhile, a sharp decline in the US Dollar (USD) ahead of the Federal Reserve (Fed) policy announcement at 18:00 GMT has also strengthened the shared currency pair. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, slumps to near 104.00.
The US Dollar is under pressure on expectations that the Fed will deliver dovish guidance on interest rates after leaving them unchanged for the eighth time in the range of 5.25%-5.50%.
Before that, investors will focus on the ADP Employment Change data, which will be published at 12:15 GMT. According to estimates, the United States (US) private sector hired 150K new employees in July, which was similar to June’s reading.
Euro FAQs
The Euro is the currency for the 20 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.
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
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD retakes 0.6000 on the road to recovery amid US-China trade war
AUD/USD is off the five-year low but remains heavy near 0.6000 in the Asian session on Monday. The pair continues to suffer from a US-China trade war as US President Trump said that he would not do a deal with China until the US trade deficit was sorted out.
USD/JPY attempts tepid recovery above 146.00
USD/JPY kicks off the new week on a weaker note, though it manages to stage a tepid recovery above 146.00 early Monday. The global carnage, amid the mounting risk of a recession and a trade war led by Trump's sweeping tariffs, keeps the safe-haven Japanese Yen underpinned at the expense of the US Dollar.
Gold holds the bounce above $3,000 amid Asia risk-off profile
Gold price recovers ground above $3,000 in the Asian session on Monday. The global market turmoil extends and hence, Gold buyers manage to find their feet as trade war and recession risks escalate and revive the haven demand for the yellow metal after Friday's 'sell everything' mode.
Bitcoin could be the winner in the ongoing trade war after showing signs of decoupling from stocks
Bitcoin traded above $84,000 on Friday, showing strength despite the stock market experiencing significant declines. The market reaction stems from United States President Donald Trump's clash with the Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell over interest rate decisions.
Strategic implications of “Liberation Day”
Liberation Day in the United States came with extremely protectionist and inward-looking tariff policy aimed at just about all U.S. trading partners. In this report, we outline some of the more strategic implications of Liberation Day and developments we will be paying close attention to going forward.
The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD
SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.