EUR/USD – Euro Dips as Economic Confidence Slides

EUR/USD has edged lower in the Tuesday session. Currently, the pair is trading at 1.2309, down 0.20% on the day. On the release front, Germany PPI surprised the markets with a decline of 0.1%, shy of the estimate of +0.1%. This marked the first decline since May. German ZEW Economic Sentiment plunged to 5.1 points, down from 17.8 a month lower. This reading was well off the forecast of 13.1 points and marked the lowest reading since September 2016. Eurozone ZEW Economic Sentiment followed the same trend, dropping to 13.4, compared to a forecast of 28.1 points. There are on US releases for a second straight day. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve sets the benchmark rate and will release a rate statement.

After months of wrangling between Britain and the EU, the two sides announced that there would be a transition period following the UK’s departure from the EU in March 2019. The transition deal will kick in at that time, lasting until December 2020. The deal covers the rights and status of EU citizens in the UK and British citizens in the EU, and allows the UK to pursue new trade agreements during that time. There are still issues to iron out, such as the Northern Ireland border. The transition period is a major, positive development, in that it will enable Britain to enjoy the benefits of the common market, albeit without a seat at the table.

Sterling Strong Despite Weaker Inflation

The Federal Reserve is poised to raise interest rates on Wednesday, which would mark the first hike of 2018. According to the CME Group, the odds of a quarter-point raise stand at an impressive 94 percent. What can we expect from the Fed during the year? The current Fed projection remains at three hikes, but a robust US economy has raised speculation that the Fed could accelerate the pace to four hikes, which would be good news for the US dollar. Investors will be keeping a close eye on key US data, especially upcoming inflation indicators. If these numbers improve, we’re likely to see four rate hikes in 2018.

EUR/USD Fundamentals

Tuesday (March 20)

• 3:00 German PPI. Estimate +0.1%. Actual -0.1%
• 6:00 German ZEW Economic Sentiment. Estimate 13.1. Actual 5.1
• 6:00 Eurozone ZEW Economic Sentiment. Estimate 28.1. Actual 13.4
• 11:00 Eurozone Consumer Confidence. Estimate 0

Wednesday (March 21)

• 8:30 US Current Account. Estimate -125B
• 10:00 US Existing Home Sales. Estimate 5.41M
• 14:00 US FOMC Economic Projections
• 14:00 US FOMC Statement
• 14:00 US Federal Funds Rate. Estimate <1.75%
• 14:30 US FOMC Press Conference

*All release times are GMT

*Key events are in bold

EUR/USD for Tuesday, March 20, 2018

EUR/USD for March 20 at 6:50 EDT

Open: 1.2335 High: 1.2355 Low: 1.2307 Close: 1.2309

EUR/USD Technical

EUR/USD was flat in the Asian session but has posted edged lower in European trade

• 1.2286 switched to a support role following gains by EUR/USD on Monday. It remains a weak line
• 1.2357 is the next line in resistance

Further levels in both directions:

• Below: 1.2286, 1.2092 and 1.2025
• Above: 1.2357, 1.2460, 1.2581
• Current range: 1.2286 to 1.2357

OANDA’s Open Positions Ratio

EUR/USD ratio is showing little movement in the Tuesday session. Currently, short positions have a majority (60%), indicative of EUR/USD continuing to move to lower ground.

This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.