EUR/JPY Rises Above 173.50, Focus on Eurozone PMI

The EUR/JPY pair remains in positive territory for the sixth consecutive day, trading near 173.80 during the early European session on Wednesday. This sustained upward movement is primarily due to the weakening Japanese Yen (JPY), which has been impacted by recent data indicating a contraction in Japanese business activity for June.

The final reading of Japan’s Services PMI fell to 49.4 in June from 49.8 in May, marking the largest downward shift since January 2022 and one of the most significant declines on record. This data has put selling pressure on the JPY, providing a headwind for the currency pair. However, there remains a possibility that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) could intervene in the foreign exchange market, which might lend some support to the JPY in the near term.

On the Euro side, the preliminary Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) inflation rate eased to 2.5% year-over-year in June, down from 2.6% in May. Despite this slight decrease, these inflation figures are not expected to prompt the European Central Bank (ECB) to cut interest rates at its upcoming policy meeting on July 18. According to Bert Colijn, senior Eurozone economist at the Dutch bank ING, “Nothing in these figures would make the ECB cut again in July, and we think it’ll be eagerly awaiting data over the summer before seriously debating a next rate cut in September.”

Furthermore, ECB President Christine Lagarde stated on Monday that recent economic developments do not indicate an urgent need for further interest rate cuts. This stance highlights the ongoing divergence in monetary policy between the Eurozone and Japan, which continues to support the Euro against the Yen.

Overall, the EUR/JPY cross is benefitting from the contrasting economic situations and monetary policy expectations in the Eurozone and Japan. As the market anticipates further data releases and potential central bank actions, the pair’s performance will likely remain influenced by these macroeconomic factors. For now, the weakening JPY and stable Eurozone inflation are keeping the EUR/JPY on an upward trajectory.