EUR/USD slips below 1.1550 as US Dollar gains on heightened inflationary risks
- EUR/USD weakens as a stronger US Dollar gains on rising energy prices.
- WTI price climbed as tightening supply from the Iran conflict outweighed coordinated emergency reserve releases by major economies.
- ECB’s Schnabel warned policymakers must monitor persistent energy shocks and stay alert to rising inflation risks in Europe.
EUR/USD extends its losses for the third successive session, trading around 1.1540 during the Asian hours on Thursday. The pair depreciates as the US Dollar (USD) remains stronger, as surging energy prices heightened inflationary risks and reduced the likelihood of Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate cuts.
The February US Consumer Price Index (CPI) released on Wednesday showed inflation rising 0.3% month-over-month (MoM) and 2.4% year-over-year (YoY), largely in line with market expectations. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.2% MoM and 2.5% YoY.
The relatively steady inflation figures reduced fears of a sudden surge in price pressures and reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates steady in the near term. Analysts note that the latest CPI report does not yet fully reflect the recent surge in oil prices caused by geopolitical developments. US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) will be eyed on Friday.
Michiel Tukker and Benjamin Schroeder of ING Group say Euro (EUR) rates remain highly sensitive to energy prices, with markets still pricing European Central Bank rate hikes in 2026. They note that falling energy prices could erase ECB hike expectations and push 2-year yields lower, while persistently high energy costs may initially steepen the euro swap curve before weighing on longer-dated rates.
Isabel Schnabel, an executive board member of the European Central Bank, said policymakers must monitor persistent energy price shocks and remain alert to upside inflation risks in Europe. Moreover, Joachim Nagel, a Governing Council member of the European Central Bank and head of the Deutsche Bundesbank, said the ECB stands ready to act if higher energy costs from the Iran war lead to persistently higher Eurozone inflation.
Euro FAQs
The Euro is the currency for the 20 European Union countries that belong to the Eurozone. It is the second most heavily traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar. In 2022, it accounted for 31% of all foreign exchange transactions, with an average daily turnover of over $2.2 trillion a day. EUR/USD is the most heavily traded currency pair in the world, accounting for an estimated 30% off all transactions, followed by EUR/JPY (4%), EUR/GBP (3%) and EUR/AUD (2%).
The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy. The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means either controlling inflation or stimulating growth. Its primary tool is the raising or lowering of interest rates. Relatively high interest rates – or the expectation of higher rates – will usually benefit the Euro and vice versa. The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde.
Eurozone inflation data, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), is an important econometric for the Euro. If inflation rises more than expected, especially if above the ECB’s 2% target, it obliges the ECB to raise interest rates to bring it back under control. Relatively high interest rates compared to its counterparts will usually benefit the Euro, as it makes the region more attractive as a place for global investors to park their money.
Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact on the Euro. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the single currency. A strong economy is good for the Euro. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the ECB to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen the Euro. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Euro is likely to fall. Economic data for the four largest economies in the euro area (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are especially significant, as they account for 75% of the Eurozone’s economy.
Another significant data release for the Euro is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought after exports then its currency will gain in value purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.
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