the European Central Bank (ECB) will be in focus today at 12:15 pm GMT and is anticipated to reduce rates amid recent CPI inflation (Consumer Price Index) softening by more-than-expected in May to 1.9% at the headline year-on-year (YY) level from 2.2% in April. YY core inflation – a measure that excludes volatile energy, food, alcohol, and tobacco prices – also softened to 2.3% in May from 2.7% in April.
I believe the last thing the ECB wants to do is shock the markets today, so I would be very surprised if they maintained rates at current levels. The decision, however, will be far from unanimous, with divisions among the 26 members who make up the ECB’s decision-making body. Markets expect the central bank to reduce all three benchmark rates by 25 bps, which would lower the deposit facility rate to 2.00% and the refinancing rate to 2.15%. If the ECB proceeds with another rate cut, this would mark the eighth reduction since the central bank commenced its easing cycle in mid-2024.
With a rate cut already baked in, I think the question top of mind among investors is what comes next. The ECB will likely want to signal a pause following today's cut, albeit a ‘dovish pause’. In the ECB’s macroeconomic projections, analysts are also expecting notable downward revisions to inflation and growth. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how they convey this via language in their rate statement and in ECB President Christine Lagarde’s press conference.
However, I find it very unlikely that forward guidance will provide a clear path, and the central bank is likely to remain in a data-dependent mode.
While a dovish cut from the ECB could send the EUR/USD southbound today, I expect it to be short-lived if US employment data comes in lower than expected on Friday.
Despite a temporary push lower potentially unfolding in the pair today, I remain bullish EUR/USD. As shown on the chart, the pair is shaking hands with monthly resistance from US$1.1457. Those who regularly follow my research will know that I am not enthusiastic about this level, given the inability of price to push through monthly support at US$1.1134 in May. Should follow-through buying emerge and US$1.1457 bids are consumed, I will be watching monthly resistance as far north as US$1.2028-US$1.1930.
Written by FP Markets Chief Market Analyst Aaron Hill
I believe the last thing the ECB wants to do is shock the markets today, so I would be very surprised if they maintained rates at current levels. The decision, however, will be far from unanimous, with divisions among the 26 members who make up the ECB’s decision-making body. Markets expect the central bank to reduce all three benchmark rates by 25 bps, which would lower the deposit facility rate to 2.00% and the refinancing rate to 2.15%. If the ECB proceeds with another rate cut, this would mark the eighth reduction since the central bank commenced its easing cycle in mid-2024.
With a rate cut already baked in, I think the question top of mind among investors is what comes next. The ECB will likely want to signal a pause following today's cut, albeit a ‘dovish pause’. In the ECB’s macroeconomic projections, analysts are also expecting notable downward revisions to inflation and growth. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how they convey this via language in their rate statement and in ECB President Christine Lagarde’s press conference.
However, I find it very unlikely that forward guidance will provide a clear path, and the central bank is likely to remain in a data-dependent mode.
While a dovish cut from the ECB could send the EUR/USD southbound today, I expect it to be short-lived if US employment data comes in lower than expected on Friday.
Despite a temporary push lower potentially unfolding in the pair today, I remain bullish EUR/USD. As shown on the chart, the pair is shaking hands with monthly resistance from US$1.1457. Those who regularly follow my research will know that I am not enthusiastic about this level, given the inability of price to push through monthly support at US$1.1134 in May. Should follow-through buying emerge and US$1.1457 bids are consumed, I will be watching monthly resistance as far north as US$1.2028-US$1.1930.
Written by FP Markets Chief Market Analyst Aaron Hill
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Disclaimer
The information and publications are not meant to be, and do not constitute, financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice or recommendations supplied or endorsed by TradingView. Read more in the Terms of Use.