Lagarde speech: Eurozone growth supported by household spending, labour market

Ghiles Guezout FXStreet

In her introductory statement before the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde said the Eurozone economy should gain support from improving household spending and a resilient labour market. She added that underlying inflation indicators remain aligned with the ECB’s 2% medium-term target and that inflation is expected to hover around this level in the coming months.

Key takeaways

“Growth in economic activity should benefit from increased household spending and a resilient and more inclusive labour market.”

“Indicators of underlying inflation remain consistent with our 2% medium-term target.”

“We expect inflation to stay around our 2% target in the coming months.”

“To respond flexibly to new challenges as they arise and will consider, as needed, new policy instruments in the pursuit of its price stability objective.”

Market reaction

EUR/USD remains firm following Lagarde’s remarks, gaining 0.30% on the day and trading around 1.1660 at the time of writing.

Economic Indicator

ECB's President Lagarde speech

The European Central Bank's President Christine Lagarde, born in 1956 in France, has formerly served as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, and minister of finance in France. She began her eight-year term at the helm of the ECB in November 2019. As part of her job in the Governing Council, Lagarde holds press conferences in detailing how the ECB observes the current and future state of the European economy. Her comments may positively or negatively the Euro's trend in the short term. Usually, a hawkish outlook boosts the Euro (bullish), while a dovish one weighs on the common currency (bearish).

British Pound eases to 1.3450 area following downwardly revised Manufacturing PMI data

The British Pound is trimming previous gains against the US Dollar on Monday, returning to the mid-range of the 1.3400s down from fresh seven-week highs, above 1.3500 earlier on the day. Weaker-than-expected UK manufacturing data added pressure on the Pound, which rallied at the Asian session opening, amid news of a halt to the hostilities in Iran.

EUR/USD consolidates previous week's gains above 1.1500

EUR/USD struggles to build on the previous week's impressive gains but manages to hold comfortably above 1.1500 on Monday. The USD loses traction and helps the pair hold its ground following US President Trump's call off an attack on Iran and that talks between the two sides would happen on Monday. Traders will closely monitor the developments surrounding US-Iran negotiations and US ISM PMI data.

Gold extends range play below $4,100 as focus remains on Middle East

Gold struggles to capitalize on its weekly bullish gap and remains below the $4,100 mark in the second half of the day. The US Dollar stages a modest recovery from its lowest level since June 17, which is seen capping the upside for the commodity. The upside for the USD, however, seems limited amid renewed hopes for a US-Iran peace deal and receding US Fed rate-hike expectations.

Week ahead: US payrolls report and AI earnings to keep investors on edge

After the Fed decision, NFP report awaited for more rate hike clues. Employment also on the agenda in Canada and New Zealand. Chinese trade and Japanese wage data to be watched too. But Iran and AI headlines to remain in driver’s seat for risk sentiment.

Solana risks a steeper decline below $70 despite steady ETF inflows

Solana (SOL) is trading in the red, losing bullish momentum and remaining capped below its 50-day Exponential Moving Average at $75.68. SOL-focused Exchange Traded Funds show resilience with a monthly inflow of $14.62 million in July, while the near-term retail support wanes with the funding rate turning negative.

9-3: Is the Federal Reserve’s vote tally Warsh's new forward guidance?

The rate did not move. Neither did the statement, and that’s the more interesting fact. Set the July 29 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement beside the one issued on June 17, and the two documents are identical apart from a single verb and a paragraph at the bottom naming three dissenters.