EUR/USD refreshes two-year low as traders reassess Fed policy outlook

Mitrade
Trending Articles
coverImg
Source: DepositPhotos

  • EUR/USD slumps to near 1.0200 as the US Dollar remains firm on expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates only once this year.


  • Traders pare Fed dovish bets after upbeat US NFP data for December.


  • ECB’s Lane supports more rate cuts to ensure the Eurozone doesn’t grow too slowly.


EUR/USD slides to a fresh over two-year low to near 1.0200 at the start of the week. The major currency pair weakens as the US Dollar (USD) performs strongly amid soaring bond yields. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, jumps to near 110.00, the highest level seen in over two years. 10-year US Treasury yields trade close to a fresh yearly high at around 4.75%


US bond yields rallied amid growing speculation that the current policy-easing cycle by the Federal Reserve (Fed) has paused for now. Fed dovish bets squeezed after the release of the upbeat United States (US) Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data for December on Friday. Fresh payrolls were surprisingly higher than November’s reading, and the Unemployment Rate decelerated.


"Given a resilient labor market, we now think the Fed cutting cycle is over," Bank of America (BofA) said in a note. The BofA added that the economic activity is “robust,” and sees “little reason for additional easing”. The bank also noted that risks to inflation have skewed to the upside.


According to the CME FedWatch tool, the Fed is unlikely to cut interest rates before its June policy meeting.


This week, investors will pay close attention to the US Producer Price Index (PPI) and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for December, which will be published on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.


Daily digest market movers: EUR/USD declines as risk-off mood weighs on Euro


  • EUR/USD faces selling pressure due to dismal market sentiment, which has weighed heavily on the Euro (EUR). Investors have become risk-averse amid uncertainty that protectionist policies under US President-elect Donald Trump's administration will lead to a global trade war, diminishing the appeal of risk-perceived assets.


  • Donald Trump is considering a declaration of national economic emergency that will allow him to construct a new tariff plan on legal grounds. In the election campaign, Trump threatened that the European Union (EU) would have to “pay a big price” for not buying “enough American exports”.


  • Domestically, firm expectations of more policy-easing from the European Central Bank (ECB) keep the Euro on the back foot. In a "policy dialogue" at the Asian Financial Forum (AFF) 2025 on Monday, ECB Chief Economist Philip Lane said that more interest rate cuts from the central bank are likely as they need to make sure that the economy does not grow “too slowly”. Lane added that the ECB needs to choose the middle path of being “neither too aggressive nor too cautious” this year.


Technical Analysis: EUR/USD posts fresh two-year low at 1.0200


EUR/USD declines to near the key support on the weekly chart, plotted from the September 2022 high of 1.0200. The outlook for the major currency pair is broadly bearish as the 20-week Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.0580 is declining. 

The 14-week Relative Strength Index (RSI) slides below 30.00, indicating a strong downside momentum. 


Looking down, the pair could find support near the round level of 1.0100. Conversely, the January 6 high of 1.0437 will be the key barrier for the Euro bulls.

Read more

  • Bitcoin Poised For ‘Boring’ 2025 Close – Here’s When BTC’s Real Test Will Come
  • TradingKey 2025 Markets Recap & Outlook | Global Central Banks 2025 Recap and 2026 Outlook: Navigating Post-Easing Recovery and Diverging Paths
  • Markets in 2026: Will gold, Bitcoin, and the U.S. dollar make history again? — These are how leading institutions think
  • * The content presented above, whether from a third party or not, is considered as general advice only.  This article should not be construed as containing investment advice, investment recommendations, an offer of or solicitation for any transactions in financial instruments.

    goTop
    quote
    Related Articles
    placeholder
    ECB Policy Outlook for 2026: What It Could Mean for the Euro’s Next MoveWith the ECB likely holding rates steady at 2.15% and the Fed potentially extending cuts into 2026, EUR/USD may test 1.20 if Eurozone growth proves resilient, but weaker growth and an ECB pivot could pull the pair back toward 1.13 and potentially 1.10.
    Author  Mitrade
    12 hours ago
    With the ECB likely holding rates steady at 2.15% and the Fed potentially extending cuts into 2026, EUR/USD may test 1.20 if Eurozone growth proves resilient, but weaker growth and an ECB pivot could pull the pair back toward 1.13 and potentially 1.10.
    placeholder
    Markets in 2026: Will gold, Bitcoin, and the U.S. dollar make history again? — These are how leading institutions thinkAfter a turbulent 2025, what lies ahead for commodities, forex, and cryptocurrency markets in 2026?
    Author  Insights
    Yesterday 06: 43
    After a turbulent 2025, what lies ahead for commodities, forex, and cryptocurrency markets in 2026?
    placeholder
    When is the BoJ rate decision and how could it affect USD/JPY?The Bank of Japan (BoJ) will announce its interest rate decision between 03.30 and 05.00 GMT, followed by Governor Kazuo Ueda's press conference at 06.30 GMT.
    Author  FXStreet
    Dec 19, Fri
    The Bank of Japan (BoJ) will announce its interest rate decision between 03.30 and 05.00 GMT, followed by Governor Kazuo Ueda's press conference at 06.30 GMT.
    placeholder
    Australian Dollar deepens losses despite rising Consumer Inflation ExpectationsThe Australian Dollar (AUD) loses ground against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday for the sixth successive day.
    Author  FXStreet
    Dec 18, Thu
    The Australian Dollar (AUD) loses ground against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday for the sixth successive day.
    placeholder
    Pound Sterling slumps as UK inflation falls by more than expected to 3.2%The Pound Sterling (GBP) faces intense selling pressure against its major currency peers on Wednesday and slides over 0.5% to near 1.3340 against the US Dollar (USD), following the release of the United Kingdom (UK) Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for November.
    Author  FXStreet
    Dec 17, Wed
    The Pound Sterling (GBP) faces intense selling pressure against its major currency peers on Wednesday and slides over 0.5% to near 1.3340 against the US Dollar (USD), following the release of the United Kingdom (UK) Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for November.

    Forex Related Articles

    • Trading Chart Patterns:Ultimate Guide to Price Action
    • 06 Leading Forex Trading Apps in Australia: Reviews & Download Links
    • Forex Market Hours, Every Forex Trader Cannot Miss
    • Top 10 Must-Have Forex Technical Indicators That Every Trader Should Use
    • 7 Powerful Forex Trading Strategies/Tips for Consistent Profits
    • EUR/USD Forecast In 2024/2025/2026: Which EUR Pairs Should I Buy?

    Click to view more