EUR/USD shrugs after Lagarde says disinflation on the right track

The euro is showing limited movement on Tuesday. In the North American session, EUR/USD is trading at 1.0806, down 0.07% on the day. Earlier, the euro fell as low as 1.0800, its lowest level since Aug. 2.

The European Central Bank has been aggressive in its rate-cutting cycle and has trimmed 75 basis points this year. The key interest rate has been brought down to 3.25%, its lowest level since February 2023. There is room for further cuts, as the eurozone economy is struggling and inflation has dropped to 1.6%, comfortably below the ECB’s target of 2%.

ECB’s Lagarde reassured by inflation data but battle not over

ECB members are sounding optimistic about deflation, which is necessary for the central bank to continue cutting rates. ECB Governing Council member Peter Kazimir said on Monday that he expects inflation to drop to the 2% target in 2025. Kazimir said he was “increasingly confident that the disinflation path is on a solid footing”.

This optimistic view was echoed by ECB President Lagarde on Tuesday. Lagarde reiterated that she expected the inflation target to be reached in 2025 and that the inflation numbers were “relatively reassuring”. Still, Lagarde added a note of caution, saying that services inflation was at 3.9% and the inflation battle was not yet won.

The Federal Reserve is expected to continue cutting rates in the final two meetings of the year, but by how much? The Fed showed its aggressive side last month when it started its rate-cutting cycle with a jumbo cut of 50 basis points. San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly said on Monday that the September rate decision was a “close call” and she expected further rate cuts in order to prevent the labor market from continuing to weaken.

EUR/USD Technical

• EUR/USD tested resistance at 1.0833 earlier. Above, there is resistance at 1.0854
• 1.0793 and 1.0772 are providing support

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