empty
21.11.2024 12:50 AM
The Euro Shoots Without Thinking

Markets often "shoot first and ask questions later." Investors started buying the euro against the US dollar following the escalation of armed conflict in Eastern Europe. However, the consequences of this development are more detrimental to the Eurozone economy than to its American counterpart. The European Central Bank's biennial review highlights a slowdown in European GDP in the face of heightened geopolitical risks. And that's not even the most striking insight in the report.

This summer, the Federal Reserve shifted from high inflation to supporting the labor market and ensuring a "soft landing" for the US economy. This change in priorities from Jerome Powell and his colleagues weakened the US dollar. Now, as autumn wanes, the ECB appears to be following suit. It has been noted that the risks of an economic slowdown in the eurozone currently outweigh the risks of accelerating inflation.

Trade wars and geopolitical tensions could further stifle Eurozone GDP. The currency bloc exports more goods to the US than it imports, making it vulnerable to tariffs on imports imposed by Donald Trump. Moreover, Europe's reliance on exports means that disruptions to international trade and a slowing global economy would be a severe blow. Unsurprisingly, the euro was declining sharply before the Eastern European conflict escalated.

Eurozone Trade Balance Dynamics with the US

This image is no longer relevant

Geopolitical risks tend to have short-term effects, as evidenced by the oil market. Thus, the drop in US Treasury yields and the accompanying EUR/USD rally could be temporary. Buying in such a market is extremely risky.

Fundamentally, the case for selling the euro against the US dollar remains strong. Bank of Italy President Fabio Panetta states that demand in the Eurozone is stagnating, and inflation has reached its target. Keeping interest rates high in this scenario makes little sense. They should be moved to a neutral—or perhaps even accommodative—zone as soon as possible. If European business activity data shows further slowdown, the odds of a 50 basis point ECB deposit rate cut in December will rise, putting additional pressure on the euro.

This image is no longer relevant

Meanwhile, the market doubts that the Fed will ease monetary policy at the end of the year. The federal funds rate has been above 5% for most of the past two years. However, the US economy is strong, with unemployment at 4.1%—still modest by historical standards—and third-quarter GDP expanding by 2.8%. Inflation could resurface. Why take risks?

The battle for the key level of 1.0545 continues on the daily chart. The most the bulls managed was to push the pair toward 1.0600, where sellers took over. A drop in the euro below 1.0525 would heighten the risks of resuming the downward trend, providing a basis for adding to medium-term shorts with a target of 1.0350.

Marek Petkovich,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

The Market Taken Hostage

Will the White House cross the Rubicon by initiating the dismissal of Jerome Powell from his position as Chair of the Federal Reserve? That would deal another blow to financial

Marek Petkovich 09:16 2025-04-18 UTC+2

Why Are Markets Frozen and What Are They Waiting For? (There is a possibility of continued Bitcoin and Ethereum consolidation in sideways ranges)

Today is Good Friday, a day Christians observe worldwide across all denominations. Market activity has noticeably decreased ahead of the Easter holiday, but this isn't the main reason for market

Pati Gani 09:00 2025-04-18 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on April 18? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

There are no macroeconomic events scheduled for Friday—not in the US, the Eurozone, Germany, or the UK. Therefore, even if the market were paying any attention to the macroeconomic backdrop

Paolo Greco 06:51 2025-04-18 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – April 18. Powell's Speech: Nothing Positive for the Dollar

The GBP/USD currency pair continued to trade relatively calmly on Thursday, showing only a minimal downward bias. We still can't classify the current movement as a "pullback" or "correction."

Paolo Greco 03:48 2025-04-18 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – April 18: The ECB Predictably Cut Rates, and the Market Predictably Ignored It

The EUR/USD currency pair spent most of the day moving sideways. When the European Central Bank meeting results were released, the market saw a small emotional reaction, but nothing fundamentally

Paolo Greco 03:48 2025-04-18 UTC+2

The Dollar Undid Everything Itself

He meant well, but it turned out the usual way. Donald Trump firmly believes that tariffs can replace income tax, generate massive revenue for the budget, and bring about

Marek Petkovich 03:39 2025-04-18 UTC+2

XAU/USD: Analysis and Forecast

Gold is undergoing a corrective pullback today as traders take profits following its recent surge to a new all-time high. This decline, although moderate, is driven by several factors, including

Irina Yanina 12:00 2025-04-17 UTC+2

EUR/USD: Analysis and Forecast

regarding upcoming changes in monetary policy from both the European Central Bank (ECB) and the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed). Anticipation of a 25 basis point rate cut by the ECB—its

Irina Yanina 11:55 2025-04-17 UTC+2

Is the Euro Ready for Another Rate Cut?

We'll find out very soon whether the euro is once again prepared for the European Central Bank (ECB) to continue easing monetary policy. Today, the ECB is expected to lower

Jakub Novak 11:38 2025-04-17 UTC+2

Powell Sees a More Restrictive Fed Policy This Year

The euro showed little reaction, while the pound slipped slightly against the U.S. dollar following yesterday's speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. According to Powell, the Fed is currently

Jakub Novak 11:34 2025-04-17 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.