empty
25.02.2025 12:21 AM
The Euro Has Become a Victim

It has been a while since EUR/USD experienced such a rapid shift from being a strong performer to a weak one. Investors initially believed that Friedrich Merz, who won the elections, would work wonders and pull the German economy out of its recession. As a result, the exchange rate for this key currency pair rose to two-month highs. However, once it became apparent that this optimism was misplaced, the euro fell sharply.

Multiple factors, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the energy crisis, slowing GDP growth in China, and rising protectionism in the U.S., have transformed Germany from the engine of European growth into one of the weakest economies in the region. The recession projected for 2023-2024, along with the failure of GDP to return to pre-pandemic levels, has significant implications. In this context, the poor performance of the ruling party, Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats, which is their worst outcome since World War II, seems almost inevitable.

Dynamics of the German economy

This image is no longer relevant

Investors viewed Friedrich Merz as a strong leader capable of improving the economy and standing up to Donald Trump. However, as the leader of the Christian Democratic Union, he is not a magician. Without the backing of a solid coalition, he cannot effectively implement fiscal measures, and Germany urgently needs to increase its defense spending. The only viable option is to issue more bonds, something Merz has previously criticized.

Excessive optimism has made the euro vulnerable. Nevertheless, things started off positively. German business confidence in the economy increased, and business activity surged, allowing the European Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) to remain stable even as the French index fell to its lowest level in 18 months. Additionally, the expectations index from IFO also showed promising results.

IFO Expectations and Current Conditions indices

This image is no longer relevant

The initial faith in Friedrich Merz was strong, but the excitement surrounding the CDU's success quickly dissipated when it became clear that forming a coalition would not be straightforward. The euro had briefly surged above $1.05 multiple times in the past week, but it ultimately couldn't maintain that level and fell back down. If the market doesn't move in the expected direction, does it tend to shift the opposite way?

The results of the German parliamentary elections helped prevent a collapse of the euro, even amidst the worst daily performance of the S&P 500 since mid-December. Typically, a drop in US stock indices indicates a decline in global risk appetite and tends to bolster a safe haven currency like the US dollar. However, that wasn't the case this time.

This image is no longer relevant

What once supported the EUR/USD exchange rate now seems capable of undermining it. Friedrich Merz's struggle to quickly form a coalition contributed to the major currency pair falling to 1.0300.

From a technical perspective, the daily chart of EUR/USD shows a pin bar formation with a long upper shadow. The bulls' inability to generate upward momentum and the pair's return to its fair value range suggest a lack of strength. Furthermore, if the euro falls below $1.0455 and $1.0445, it could signal a selling opportunity.

Marek Petkovich,
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

Could the Fed Deliver a Surprise Following Its Meeting? (Possible Renewed Decline in Oil Prices and GBP/USD Pair)

The turbulence of recent months, driven by Donald Trump's actions and the release of fresh U.S. economic data, has done little to help investors understand the true direction of asset

Pati Gani 09:50 2025-05-05 UTC+2

The Market Doesn't Dare to Go Against the Crowd

"Dance while the music plays." The S&P 500 has just completed a 9-day rally—the longest since 2024—driven by a strong U.S. labor market report and upbeat earnings from tech giants

Marek Petkovich 08:49 2025-05-05 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 5: Bank of England and Fed Meetings

The GBP/USD currency pair failed to show any decisive movement on Friday—it neither rose nor fell significantly. Many analysts interpreted the U.S. labor market and unemployment data as positive simply

Paolo Greco 06:44 2025-05-05 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 5: A New Week of Ordeals for the Dollar

The EUR/USD currency pair remained flat on Friday. The day saw both upward and downward movements. It is a notable achievement for the dollar that it has appreciated over

Paolo Greco 06:44 2025-05-05 UTC+2

EUR/USD: Weekly Preview. The May FOMC Meeting and (Possible) U.S.-China Trade Talks

The new week promises to be informative for EUR/USD traders. Most notably, the next Federal Reserve meeting, scheduled for May 6–7, will determine the central bank's future course of action

Irina Manzenko 05:53 2025-05-05 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 5? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Very few macroeconomic events are scheduled for Monday. The only noteworthy release is the ISM Services PMI from the U.S., but serious doubts exist about whether the market will

Paolo Greco 04:15 2025-05-05 UTC+2

The U.S. Dollar: Weekly Preview

The hit parade of American news and events will continue. I still believe that the most significant factor in the market is Donald Trump's decisions. It's enough to compare

Chin Zhao 00:51 2025-05-05 UTC+2

British Pound: Weekly Preview

Recent reviews for both instruments have become predictable and even somewhat dull. The entire set of factors capable of influencing market sentiment and instrument movement boils down to the President

Chin Zhao 00:51 2025-05-05 UTC+2

The Euro: Weekly Preview

For several weeks, the euro has remained in a sideways range. It seems like every analyst has already pointed this out and noted that without news from Trump, there's

Chin Zhao 00:51 2025-05-05 UTC+2

EUR/USD: Analysis and Forecast

The EUR/USD pair is attracting buyers today, breaking a three-day losing streak and attempting to build intraday momentum above the psychological 1.1300 level. This indicates a renewed interest from buyers

Irina Yanina 11:59 2025-05-02 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.