OCBC strategists Sim Moh Siong and Christopher Wong argue that higher nominal ECB rate expectations are failing to support the Euro as Oil-driven stagflation erodes the euro area’s real return and worsens its external balance. They stay neutral on EUR/USD, outlining downside scenarios toward 1.13–1.12 and potentially 1.10 if Brent spikes, while expecting modest Dollar weakness in 2026 if Middle East risks ease.
"In an energy-driven stagflation shock, higher nominal rates don’t automatically support a currency. What matters for FX is the real return after inflation and the economy’s external balance. For the euro area, the latest oil spike hits on both fronts: it lifts inflation while simultaneously worsening terms of trade for a large net energy importer."
"We stay neutral on EUR/USD until clearer signs of de-escalation emerge, giving us more confidence that Middle East–driven stagflation risks won’t derail our baseline of modest USD weakness in 2026. In a moderately severe oil shock—prices near USD100/bbl through mid-year—EUR/USD could slip to 1.13–1.12."
"Under an acute scenario, with Brent spiking toward USD140/bbl and staying elevated, a further drop toward 1.10 or slightly below is plausible."
(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor.)