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EUR/USD Steadies Near 1.0450 Amid Tariff Threats and FOMC Minutes Anticipation

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  • February 19, 2025
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EUR/USD trades near 1.0450 with mild gains in the Asian session, supported by a weaker US Dollar. However, market sentiment remains cautious as geopolitical tensions and tariff concerns could bolster the Greenback’s safe-haven appeal. US President Donald Trump’s suggestion of a 25% tariff on vehicle, chip, and drug imports creates uncertainty, while Ukraine President Zelenskiy rescheduling his visit to Saudi Arabia indicates continued geopolitical tensions. At the same time, the Euro is under pressure as the Eurozone ZEW Economic Sentiment Index fell short of expectations and rumors of successive ECB rate cuts hang over the currency. Investors shift their attention to the FOMC Minutes for more information on the Federal Reserve’s position regarding economic threats and monetary policy direction.  KEY LOOKOUTS • Investors eagerly look for the FOMC Minutes to learn about the Fed’s position on inflation, interest rates, and possible economic threats. • The suggested 25% tariffs on automobile, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical imports may fan trade tensions, tending to bolster the US Dollar as a safe-haven asset. • The Euro comes under pressure with the ZEW Economic Sentiment Index falling short of expectations and ECB rate cut rumors keeping pressure on the future path of the currency. • Tensions in Russia-Ukraine and the delayed Saudi Arabia trip by Zelenskiy keep markets guarded, which can influence risk mood and drive price action in EUR/USD. The EUR/USD currency pair continues to stay in the spotlight with the mixed trend of the currency market on global economic and political fronts. While a softer US Dollar gives the pair temporary boost, rising trade tensions with the imposition of tariffs by Trump on major imports can make the Greenback stronger, curbing the pair’s upside. Also contributing to volatility are geopolitical risks, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Zelenskiy’s diplomatic moves. Weaker-than-forecasted economic sentiment data and anticipation of several ECB rate cuts on the Euro side keep the investors guarded. As FOMC Minutes are due to be released, traders will look closely for any indications of upcoming US monetary policy, which can trigger large market movements. EUR/USD trades around 1.0450 as geopolitical uncertainty and trade tensions make investors remain on guard. Markets look forward to FOMC Minutes to gauge the Fed’s policy attitude. • The pair trades around 1.0450 with support from a weaker US Dollar but is resistant to geopolitical and trade tensions. • A 25% levy on auto, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical imports can heighten trade tensions and enhance the safe-haven status of the USD. • Market players seek indications on the policy orientation of the Fed, inflation prospects, and risk assessment of the economy. • The ZEW Economic Sentiment Index was lower than forecasted, placing added pressure on the Euro amid talk of ECB interest rate reductions. • Russia-Ukraine tensions and Zelenskiy’s delayed Saudi Arabia trip contribute to market uncertainty and risk sentiment swings. • Increasing wagers on three ECB rate reductions this year may further burden the strength of the Euro. • Market participants are cautious as significant economic indicators and geopolitical events may trigger large price movements in the EUR/USD currency pair. The global economy is presently defined by a combination of economic policy and geopolitical occurrences, with trade tensions being at the forefront. US President Donald Trump’s plan to impose a 25% tariff on automotive, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical imports has sent investors into a tizzy, as it may affect worldwide supply chains and international trade relationships. In the meantime, the geopolitical front is still unclear, with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy delaying his visit to Saudi Arabia due to ongoing tensions with Russia. These advances build towards a hesitant market atmosphere wherein policymakers and businesses are observing intently the likely changes in trade policies and diplomacy. EUR/USD Daily Price Chart TradingView Prepared by ELLYANA Economic sentiment has been exhibiting divergent signs in the European space, with the Eurozone ZEW Economic Sentiment Index not meeting forecasts. This has fueled debate over the European Central Bank’s next course of action regarding monetary policy, with market players speculating over potential interest rate changes. While economic growth continues to be the focus, disruptions in global trade and changes in economic policies create an added layer of uncertainty. As crucial reports and policy announcements are revealed, companies and investors are seeking insight into long-term economic strategies that may affect global trade, investments, and financial stability. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS EUR/USD is trading around the 1.0450 level, with major resistance and support levels that may determine its next direction. The pair is testing a pivotal price area where a breakout above resistance can indicate further upward momentum, while a fall below support can confirm a bearish trend. Traders are monitoring moving averages and RSI levels closely to determine market sentiment, with volume trends suggesting potential volatility in the future. As the FOMC Minutes and geopolitical events drive market direction, technical indicators will be instrumental in determining short-term price action and key entry or exit points for traders. FORECAST EUR/USD is uncertain as several factors drive its possible movement. On the positive side, if the market responds favorably to the FOMC Minutes, reflecting a dovish or cautious approach by the Federal Reserve, the US Dollar may weaken, enabling EUR/USD to pick up pace. Also, any indication of economic strength from the Eurozone or easing of trade tensions would help support the Euro. If the pair is able to break through crucial resistance levels, it could create the opportunity for further gains, drawing in bullish sentiment. To the downside, fears of growing trade tensions, especially Trump’s suggested tariffs on significant imports, could make the US Dollar a safe-haven currency, subjecting EUR/USD to downward pressure. In addition, the Euro is still exposed to speculation regarding several ECB rate reductions this year, which would negatively impact investor sentiment. Should economic indicators for the Eurozone continue to fall short of forecasts, the pair may have trouble sustaining stability, and a breach below major support levels would be a sign of further potential decline. Traders will be keenly watching upcoming economic reports and geopolitical events

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Currencies EUR/USD

EURUSD Bounces Back to the Highs of Almost 1.0550 After a Dive from New Yearly Lows

EURUSD Bounces Back to the Highs of Almost 1.0550 After a Dive from New Yearly Lows EUR/USD erased substantial losses after a run of five consecutive negatives, bouncing to the areas around 1.0540 during Asian trading on Friday. This followed the US Dollar Index (DXY) taking its first retreats from the newest yearly high reached at 107.06. Both dovish comments by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and mixed US economics data influenced the move. Despite the strength in Euro, the European Central Bank still remains cautious on the economic outlook, leaving its future movements toward the pair subject to developments both in the US and the Eurozone. EUR/USD’s Recent Rebound and the Pullback in the US Dollar The currency pair EUR/USD recovered some of the losses because of a correction within the US Dollar. As the US Dollar Index (DXY) had skyrocketed to 107.06 for the year, the reversal in this upward trend for the greenback, as well as its corresponding reversal for the Euro itself, contributed to a modest rebound for the Euro, and EUR/USD advanced toward 1.0540. US Dollar Pulls Back Some of the factors behind the U.S. Dollar’s pullback have been the slowdown of so-called “Trump trades,” that had been helping the dollar out in the first half of the year. These trades-tied very closely to expectations surrounding economic policies from the previous U.S. administration-have started to lose some of their momentum as market sentiment shifts. Simultaneously, comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell regarding the US economy lighten the tone of the US Dollar. Powell described the US economic performance as “remarkably good, thus giving Federal Reserve some leniency to slowly trim its interest rates. Contrastively, such rhetoric is diametrically opposed to the more hawkish tone that had prevailed in communications until now by the Fed, thus questioning a change in policy that should continue to weaken the Dollar at least in the short term. Mixed US Economic Data Powell’s comments came simultaneously with the release of US PPI numbers. The PPI index increased 2.4% year-over-year in October, beating the revised 1.9% of September and more than the market’s expectations of 2.3%. Meanwhile, the Core PPI for the month rose 3.1% YoY from 3.0% expectation, which eliminates food and energy prices. Although the data showed inflationary pressures were on the rise, which would play into the hands of the USD in the long run, the immediate reaction was tame because attention shifted to Powell’s more dovish talk over interest rates.The convergence of these factors saw DXY pull back, falling to around 106.80 at time of writing, providing some respite to the Euro and pushing EUR/USD higher from recent lows. EUR/USD Daily Chart Source: TradingView, by Richard Miles ECB in a Catch 22 Situation: How to Cut Rates while Tackling Inflation Though the Euro has gained a few percent against the US Dollar, European Central Bank ECB is now caught between the politics of rate cuts, and home-grown inflationary concerns. Home-grown inflationary pressures-the central issue for ECB officials-arise from the boost in wages. ECB is emphasizing more on cutting of interest rates. Showing an increased receptivity to cut rates, the central bank at the monetary policy meeting in October signaled that it was indeed turning its ears to the calls of the reducing economy. This news marks a change in tone especially since the growth fell way slower than expected, and equally, inflation data in the Eurozone remains weak. For Isabel Schnabel, an ECB board member, interest rates remain the prime instrument for policy changes but the secondary adding instruments are buys on bonds and forward guidance. While the ECB is paying increasing attention to cuts in rates, it has been quite cautious in taking concrete steps for some time now because the inflationary pressures continue unabated in the Eurozone. With hard-striving increases in wages coupled with the growth in labor productivity lagging behind, the raised fears of a wage-price spiral – where the increase in wages leads to higher prices that trigger even more wage increase in a spiral ride – belie this potential outcome working adversely for the ECB’s desired goal of putting inflation back on track. ECB Cautious on Inflationary Pressures The ECB is more sensitive to the realization that an early policy response, in this case, even some rate cuts, will mean high inflationary pressures. The central bank has thus indicated a need for more data before doing significant policy changes. The situation remains fluid, and the ECB is likely to continue monitoring the economic and inflationary landscape very carefully before making its next move. Meanwhile, the Eurozone is likely to continue struggling to find elusive momentum in growth. Most analysts think it will slow down in 2025. Cut in rates by the ECB would weaken the Euro further though the timing and full quantum of cut are still unclear. Key Economic Data to Watch The movements of the EUR/USD pair are likely to be sensitive to these upcoming data releases, especially from both the US and the Eurozone. Here are some of the key economic events and indicators to monitor in the coming days: US Economic Data US Retail Sales (October): Details about US retail sales may help explain the soundness of the US consumer-the very pulse of the whole economy. Better-than-expected retail sales can also be an additional strength for the US dollar if it translates to continued demand despite higher inflation. US CPI (Consumer Price Index): The main ‘event’ in the Dollar’s line-up will be the release of the US CPI report. In case inflation remains at these levels or even increases further, then this might lead to ideas about the Fed rate policy turnaround and hence a boost for the USD. Eurozone Economic Data Eurozone GDP Growth (Q3): The GDP data for the Eurozone will say much about its general health. Weaker growth than expected would only raise more concerns regarding the Euro outlook, while stronger growth could support the Euro in the short term.Eurozone CPI (Oct): Eurozone inflation

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