Euro weakens below 1.1650 as Trump yet to comment on 60-day truce extension plan

EUR/USD softens to near 1.1635 in Friday’s early European session.
The US and Iran are getting closer, but they have not yet reached a deal.
ECB rate hike bets might help limit the Euro’s losses.

Lallalit Srijandorn FXStreet

The EUR/USD pair loses momentum to around 1.1635 during the early European trading hours on Friday. Mixed signals surrounding the US-Iran peace deal remain the primary driver of volatility. Traders will keep an eye on the preliminary readings of Germany’s inflation later on Friday.

The White House confirmed that the US and Iran have reached an agreement on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to extend the ceasefire for 60 days to allow for formal negotiations, but US President Donald Trump has yet to give his approval. US Vice-President JD Vance said on Friday that the US and Iran still need to work out several sticking points before an agreement on the war can be reached.

Traders will closely monitor the developments surrounding the Middle East conflict. Any signs of rising tensions between the US and Iran could weigh on the Euro (EUR) against the US Dollar (USD). On the other hand, progress on the peace deal could underpin the riskier assets such as the shared currency in the near term.

Hawkish remarks from the European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers could lift the EUR. ECB board member Isabel Schnabel stated that the central bank should raise interest rates in June, even if ongoing peace talks with Iran yield a deal, as the conflict has been far longer than projected and high energy prices are spilling into the broader economy.

Financial markets have fully priced in two hikes in the ECB's 2% deposit rate and see a nearly 50% chance of a third move over the next year. Economists are more cautious and see just two rates rise, followed by a cut in mid-2027, a Reuters poll showed.

Euro FAQs

What is the Euro?

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%).

What is the ECB and how does it impact the Euro?

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.

How does inflation data impact the value of the Euro?

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.

How does economic data influence the value of the Euro?

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.

How does the Trade Balance impact the Euro?

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.

Author

Lallalit Srijandorn

FXStreet

Lallalit Srijandorn is a Parisian at heart. She has lived in France since 2019 and now becomes a digital entrepreneur based in Paris and Bangkok.

GBP/USD struggles as traders evaluate BoE policy, UK political developments

GBP/USD steadies after three days of losses, trading around 1.3430 during the Asian hours on Tuesday. After recently surging toward two-month highs near 1.3550, the pair has moderated as foreign exchange traders evaluate shifting monetary policies between the Bank of England and the US Federal Reserve alongside political developments in the United Kingdom.

EUR/USD bears retain control below 200-SMA on H4; break of 1.1400 awaited

The EUR/USD pair is seen consolidating during the Asian session on Tuesday and trading just above the 1.1400 mark, or a four-day low touched the previous day. Market participants seem hesitant and keenly await the highly-anticipated European Central Bank meeting on Thursday before positioning for the next leg of a directional move.

Gold: Acceptance above 21-day SMA at $4,065 is critical for buyers

Gold is building on its recovery from two-week lows of $4,024 reached last Friday, extending the winning streak into a third straight day on Tuesday. XAU/USD is capitalizing on the ongoing pullback in Oil prices from monthly highs near $84.50. The black gold is retreating for a second day in a row on emerging signs of diplomatic efforts to ease the US-Iran conflict.

Ripple and Stellar: Mixed signals keep traders at a crossroads

Ripple and Stellar trade within tight ranges as traders await the next directional move. XRP’s technical indicators suggest bearish momentum is fading, while XLM continues to consolidate near a critical support zone. Mixed derivatives metrics highlight growing market indecision, raising the likelihood of a volatile breakout in either direction in the coming days.

Here's where the Canadian Dollar is headed next: 4 bearish scenarios and a bullish one

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) has ridden a volatile first half of the year, with Oil prices surging and then falling as markets danced to the Middle East’s tune. Neither the Bank of Canada nor the Federal Reserve has changed rates so far this year, and the USD/CAD's next move may depend on which of the two banks fails to deliver what markets expect.

US Dollar mid-year outlook: Exceptional currency, exceptional risks?

The US Dollar enters the second half of 2026 in a markedly different position from a year ago. The King currency has recovered, reflecting persistent US inflation, changing expectations for Fed policy, geopolitical tensions and renewed demand for defensive assets.