Daily Price Outlook
During the European trading session, the EUR/USD currency pair edged lower on the day as the market sentiment remained cautious.
The pair traded with a mild negative bias around 1.0300 on Friday. This decline comes as the US dollar continues to gain strength, fueled by the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold off on any interest rate cuts for the time being.
The Fed’s stance on rates has provided support to the Greenback, creating some selling pressure on the euro.
On the other side of the Atlantic, the Eurozone's Retail Sales figures, released on Thursday, failed to offer much support for the euro.
Eurostat reported a 1.2% year-on-year increase in retail sales for November, although it was lower than the revised 2.1% rise seen in October.
With the focus shifting to US employment data, the euro seems to be under pressure as market participants weigh the potential outcomes.
Fed’s Cautious Stance on Rate Cuts Strengthens US Dollar, Weighing on EUR/USD
On the US front, the broad-based US dollar has been rising as the Federal Reserve’s decision to delay interest rate cuts continues to support the Greenback.
This is putting some pressure on the EUR/USD pair. Traders are waiting for the US December Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report, which is expected later on Friday.
This report could offer important insights into the US job market and influence future Fed decisions.
Several Fed officials have shown caution about cutting interest rates, mainly due to ongoing inflation concerns and uncertainty surrounding the incoming Donald Trump administration.
For example, Susan Collins, President of the Fed Bank of Boston, said that the uncertainty in the economic outlook suggests the Fed should be careful with rate cuts.
Moreover, Fed Governor Michelle Bowman mentioned that she believes the Fed should keep rates steady until there is clear evidence that inflation is decreasing.
These hawkish comments from Fed officials could help strengthen the US dollar against the euro in the short term.
Therefore, the Federal Reserve’s cautious stance on rate cuts and inflation concerns are strengthening the US dollar.
This puts downward pressure on the EUR/USD pair, as a stronger dollar makes the euro less attractive in comparison, leading to a potential decline.
Euro Faces Pressure as Retail Sales Slow, but HICP Data Offers Some Support
On the EUR front, the Eurozone’s Retail Sales figures failed to provide much support for the euro. Data released by Eurostat on Thursday showed that retail sales increased by 1.2% year-on-year in November, but this was a slowdown compared to the revised 2.1% rise in October.
This weaker retail sales growth did not help lift the euro ahead of the key US employment data expected later on Friday.
However, there is some positive news for the euro. The Eurozone's preliminary Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) data for December has pushed back expectations that the European Central Bank (ECB) will make a large interest rate cut.
This could help limit the euro's losses for now, as traders may feel more confident about the ECB's stance, which provides some support for the shared currency in the short term.
EUR/USD – Technical Analysis
EUR/USD is trading at $1.02969, reflecting mild bearish sentiment as it dips below the pivot point at $1.03423.
The pair faces immediate resistance at $1.04424, with further upside barriers at $1.05222 and $1.06035.
On the downside, immediate support lies at $1.02240, followed by deeper levels at $1.01664 and $1.01118.
The 50 EMA at $1.03471 signals bearish momentum as prices hover below this critical moving average. RSI readings remain neutral, indicating limited directional bias for now.
However, a sustained break below $1.03423 could accelerate bearish momentum, driving the pair toward key support levels. Conversely, a recovery above $1.03423 may trigger a bullish reversal, targeting $1.04424.
Market participants are closely monitoring broader economic cues, including U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls data and ECB commentary, which could impact the euro's trajectory.
A decisive move below the $1.03423 pivot point will likely validate bearish sentiment, paving the way for further declines.
On the flip side, a break above $1.03423 could signal a near-term recovery toward $1.04424 and higher levels.
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