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EUR/USD Holds Steady Near 1.1150 Ahead of Eurozone PMI Data

EUR/USD Holds Steady Near 1.1150 Ahead of Eurozone PMI Data

The EUR/USD pair remains steady around 1.1160 during Monday’s Asian trading session. The US Dollar (USD) could weaken due to the increasing possibility of further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (Fed) in 2024, which may support the EUR/USD pair.

Last week, the US Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by 50 basis points, bringing the range to 4.75-5.00%. Fed officials also signaled the likelihood of additional cuts totaling 50 basis points by year-end.

However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized in a press conference that the central bank is not rushing to ease policy, clarifying that the larger rate cut was not the “new normal.”

On Friday, Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker likened navigating monetary policy to driving a bus, stressing the importance of balancing speed. He highlighted that maximum employment is not just about job numbers but also job quality.

Meanwhile, on the European front, European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde reiterated on Friday that monetary policy must remain flexible in an ever-changing world. While price stability remains a core objective, central banks must adapt to the challenges of a rapidly shifting global economy, according to Euronews.

Market participants are now focused on the upcoming Eurozone and German Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data. The PMI, a key indicator of business activity, offers insights into the health and trends of the economy.