empty
13.03.2025 11:39 AM
Euro Faces Some Challenges

The European currency has encountered some difficulties in its upward movement following yesterday's speech by the European Central Bank (ECB) President.

"The eurozone economy is facing exceptional shocks caused by challenges in trade, defense, and climate, which could increase inflation volatility and raise the risk of more persistent price growth," ECB President Christine Lagarde said on Wednesday.

This image is no longer relevant

These factors prevent the ECB from clearly signaling its policy intentions, making it even more crucial for the bank to commit to its 2% inflation target and outline how it will respond to various economic shocks.

Since June last year, the ECB has cut interest rates six times, but last week it refrained from giving any clear guidance on future policy, leaving markets uncertain about the onset of a period of heightened instability. This uncertainty is further fueled by the Trump administration's challenge to established international cooperation.

"Our expectations have indeed been overturned in recent years, especially in the last few weeks," Lagarde noted. "We have witnessed political decisions that would have been unimaginable just a few months ago."

The deterioration in trade relations is likely to lead to larger and more disruptive price changes. Additional spending on defense and infrastructure could also fuel inflation. However, Lagarde acknowledged the possibility that such shocks might counterbalance each other, neutralizing inflationary pressures.

The key issue for the ECB is that inflation reacts disproportionately to major shocks rather than smaller ones, potentially making it more persistent. ECB economists warn that this asymmetrical price response, combined with current wage-setting mechanisms, could create lasting inflation problems.

"If state-driven pricing becomes the norm, the regional economy will face serious shocks," Lagarde stated. "Major shocks will accelerate inflation growth, and wages will once again have to gradually catch up with prices."

Lagarde did not propose specific solutions but emphasized that the ECB must clearly define what it can and cannot do.

"While the ECB cannot promise to keep inflation at exactly 2% at all times, nor provide explicit policy direction, it must set policies that ensure inflation approaches the target over the medium term," she explained.

However, as I mentioned earlier, this speech had little immediate impact on the foreign exchange market, particularly the euro.

EUR/USD Technical Outlook

Currently, EUR/USD buyers need to break above the 1.0930 level to aim for a test of 1.0970. A further rise toward 1.1010 is possible but will be challenging without support from major players. The most distant target would be 1.1050.

In the event of a decline, strong buyer interest is expected around 1.0870. If no significant demand emerges at this level, a deeper correction toward 1.0840 or even 1.0800 could provide new long opportunities.

GBP/USD Technical Outlook

For GBP/USD, buyers need to break through the nearest resistance at 1.2960 to target 1.3010, where further progress will be difficult. The most ambitious target would be 1.3040.

If the pair moves downward, bears will attempt to regain control at 1.2940. A successful breakdown of this area would deal a significant blow to the bulls, pushing GBP/USD down to 1.2915 with a potential move toward 1.2875.

Jakub Novak,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Gold prices are showing a positive trajectory after an intraday decline to the $3275–3274 level. The renewed demand for safe-haven assets is driven by geopolitical risks, including the prolonged conflict

Irina Yanina 18:52 2025-05-09 UTC+2

DXY. The Dollar Holds Out Hope for a Recovery

Today, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the greenback's performance against a basket of major currencies, is in a phase of bullish consolidation after reaching an almost one-month high

Irina Yanina 11:31 2025-05-09 UTC+2

Markets Will Open Their Eyes and Close Their Ears

"Better go and buy stocks right now! Thanks to the White House's trade policy, the U.S. will attract $10 trillion in investment. This country will be like a rocket going

Marek Petkovich 11:10 2025-05-09 UTC+2

The U.S. and U.K. Sign a Trade Agreement

The British pound fell in response to the news that the U.S. and the U.K. had signed a trade agreement. However, there are many nuances that need to be clarified

Jakub Novak 09:31 2025-05-09 UTC+2

Has Everyone Started Believing Trump Again?

The U.S. dollar resumed its upward trajectory, while several risk assets dropped sharply after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he expects the upcoming trade talks with China, scheduled

Jakub Novak 09:28 2025-05-09 UTC+2

The European Union Prepares New Tariffs Against the United States

It has come to light that the European Union is planning to impose additional tariffs on U.S. exports worth €95 billion if current trade negotiations with President Donald Trump's administration

Jakub Novak 09:25 2025-05-09 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 9: The Bank of England Confuses Traders Even More

The GBP/USD currency pair moved downwards first and then upwards on Thursday, indicating that the market has not yet decided how to interpret the Bank of England's meeting results

Paolo Greco 04:05 2025-05-09 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 9: Powell and the Fed Changed Nothing

On Thursday, the EUR/USD currency pair continued to trade within the same sideways channel, clearly visible on the hourly chart, almost until the evening. As we warned, the outcome

Paolo Greco 04:05 2025-05-09 UTC+2

BoE Is Concerned About the Economy

I regularly monitor three central banks, each representing an almost entirely different approach to monetary policy. On Thursday, the Bank of England cut interest rates, citing concerns over slowing economic

Chin Zhao 01:35 2025-05-09 UTC+2

The Fed Chair Is Steadfast as Steel

Everyone has already had time to review the results of the recent Federal Reserve meeting. In this article, I want to highlight a few positive points for the U.S. dollar

Chin Zhao 01:16 2025-05-09 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.