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

EUR/USD: The Dollar Falls Out of Favor Again

The euro/dollar pair has been climbing for two days, mirroring a general decline in the U.S. dollar. Having briefly regained strength, the greenback is now under pressure again: the U.S

Irina Manzenko 18:07 2025-05-14 UTC+2

AUD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

The current technical and fundamental setup for the AUD/JPY pair points to short-term pressure from the Japanese yen. However, fundamental factors favoring the Australian dollar help maintain the pair's upside

Irina Yanina 11:28 2025-05-14 UTC+2

USD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

At the moment, the Japanese yen is showing positive momentum against the U.S. dollar for the second consecutive day.The key factor supporting the Japanese currency has been hawkish comments from

Irina Yanina 11:28 2025-05-14 UTC+2

The Market Is Changing the Rules of the Game

Don't go against the crowd. According to Goldman Sachs and the Federal Reserve, individual investors held $35 trillion worth of U.S. stocks at the end of 2024, equivalent to 38%

Marek Petkovich 09:32 2025-05-14 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 14? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

There are very few macroeconomic events scheduled for Wednesday. The only item of note is the second estimate of Germany's Business Activity Index for April. Second estimates typically

Paolo Greco 06:11 2025-05-14 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 14: Only the Trade Deal Matters

On Tuesday, the GBP/USD currency pair also ended what could only be called disgrace — its decline. On Monday, the U.S. dollar strengthened quite well following a successful first round

Paolo Greco 03:52 2025-05-14 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 14: The Music Didn't Last Long

The EUR/USD currency pair experienced upward movement for most of Tuesday. One gets used to good news quickly, and the market expected further strengthening of the U.S. dollar. We anticipated

Paolo Greco 03:52 2025-05-14 UTC+2

EUR/USD. And Then They Woke Up: Market Euphoria Over the U.S.-China Trade Truce Fades

The currency market's initial euphoria following the announcement of a temporary trade truce between the U.S. and China has now faded. The early optimism has given way to the sobering

Irina Manzenko 01:23 2025-05-14 UTC+2

Inflation Does the Dollar a Bearish Disservice

One of the few indicators the market occasionally pays attention to is U.S. inflation. After Donald Trump introduced trade tariffs, economists immediately started discussing rising inflation. This conclusion is logical

Chin Zhao 01:14 2025-05-14 UTC+2

The Euro Prepares for Retaliation

Man proposes, God disposes. After the White House imposed strict tariffs on America's Independence Day, there was much discussion about rising inflation and a slowing U.S. economy. However, instead

Marek Petkovich 00:18 2025-05-14 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.