- EUR/USD trades in a tight channel at around 1.0400 on Friday.
- The cautious market mood is likely to cap the pair's upside.
- The near-term technical outlook points to a lack of directional momentum.
EUR/USD registered marginal gains after returning from the Christmas break on Thursday but failed to gather bullish momentum. Early Friday, the pair trades in a narrow channel at around 1.0400.
Euro PRICE This week
The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies this week. Euro was the weakest against the US Dollar.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | 0.25% | 0.38% | 0.90% | 0.30% | 0.49% | 0.42% | 0.95% | |
| EUR | -0.25% | 0.09% | 0.56% | 0.02% | 0.30% | 0.15% | 0.68% | |
| GBP | -0.38% | -0.09% | 0.45% | -0.07% | 0.21% | 0.06% | 0.60% | |
| JPY | -0.90% | -0.56% | -0.45% | -0.58% | -0.34% | -0.45% | -0.04% | |
| CAD | -0.30% | -0.02% | 0.07% | 0.58% | 0.23% | 0.12% | 0.64% | |
| AUD | -0.49% | -0.30% | -0.21% | 0.34% | -0.23% | -0.15% | 0.37% | |
| NZD | -0.42% | -0.15% | -0.06% | 0.45% | -0.12% | 0.15% | 0.50% | |
| CHF | -0.95% | -0.68% | -0.60% | 0.04% | -0.64% | -0.37% | -0.50% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote).
The data published by the US Census Bureau showed on Thursday that Initial Jobless Claims edged lower to 219,000 in the week ending December 21 from 220,000 in the previous week. This reading came in better than the market expectation of 224,000 but failed to influence the US Dollar's (USD) valuation. In the second half of the day, the mixed action seen in Wall Street's main indexes limited the pair's upside.
The economic calendar will not offer any high-tier data releases on Friday. Meanwhile, US stock index futures trade in negative territory, reflecting a cautious market stance in the European session. Unless there is a noticeable improvement in risk mood in the American session, the pair could stay on the back foot.
Nevertheless, trading conditions are likely to remain thin, not allowing EUR/USD to make a decisive move in either direction.
EUR/USD Technical Analysis
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator on the 4-hour chart stays near 50, highlighting EUR/USD's indecisiveness.
First resistance for EUR/USD could be spotted at 1.0430-1.0440 (50-period Simple Moving Average (SMA), static level) before 1.0475, (100-period SMA) and 1.0500 (200-period SMA). On the downside, 1.0350 (static level) and 1.0300 (static level, round level) could be seen as next support levels if the pair flips 1.0400 (static level, round level) into resistance.
Euro FAQs
The Euro is the currency for the 19 European Union countries that belong to the Eurozone. It is the second most heavily traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar. In 2022, it accounted for 31% of all foreign exchange transactions, with an average daily turnover of over $2.2 trillion a day. EUR/USD is the most heavily traded currency pair in the world, accounting for an estimated 30% off all transactions, followed by EUR/JPY (4%), EUR/GBP (3%) and EUR/AUD (2%).
The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy. The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means either controlling inflation or stimulating growth. Its primary tool is the raising or lowering of interest rates. Relatively high interest rates – or the expectation of higher rates – will usually benefit the Euro and vice versa. The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde.
Eurozone inflation data, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), is an important econometric for the Euro. If inflation rises more than expected, especially if above the ECB’s 2% target, it obliges the ECB to raise interest rates to bring it back under control. Relatively high interest rates compared to its counterparts will usually benefit the Euro, as it makes the region more attractive as a place for global investors to park their money.
Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact on the Euro. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the single currency. A strong economy is good for the Euro. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the ECB to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen the Euro. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Euro is likely to fall. Economic data for the four largest economies in the euro area (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are especially significant, as they account for 75% of the Eurozone’s economy.
Another significant data release for the Euro is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought after exports then its currency will gain in value purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended Content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD holds above 1.0400 in quiet trading
EUR/USD trades in positive territory above 1.0400 in the American session on Friday. The absence of fundamental drivers and thin trading conditions on the holiday-shortened week make it difficult for the pair to gather directional momentum.
GBP/USD recovers above 1.2550 following earlier decline
GBP/USD regains its traction and trades above 1.2550 after declining toward 1.2500 earlier in the day. Nevertheless, the cautious market mood limits the pair's upside as trading volumes remain low following the Christmas break.
Gold declines below $2,620, erases weekly gains
Gold edges lower in the second half of the day and trades below $2,620, looking to end the week marginally lower. Although the cautious market mood helps XAU/USD hold its ground, growing expectations for a less-dovish Fed policy outlook caps the pair's upside.
Bitcoin misses Santa rally even as on-chain metrics show signs of price recovery
Bitcoin (BTC) price hovers around $97,000 on Friday, erasing most of the gains from earlier this week, as the largest cryptocurrency missed the so-called Santa Claus rally, the increase in prices prior to and immediately following Christmas Day.
2025 outlook: What is next for developed economies and currencies?
As the door closes in 2024, and while the year feels like it has passed in the blink of an eye, a lot has happened. If I had to summarise it all in four words, it would be: ‘a year of surprises’.
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads
VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.