- EUR/USD drops 0.10% ahead of the European PMIs.
- Weaker-than-expected data could bolster the soft tone around the single currency.
- EU leaders meet today on the fiscal response, but the north-south divide may hinder progress.
The single currency is prolonging the pessimism seen on Wednesday and pushing EUR/USD to weekly lows in the 1.08 neighborhood. The pair is currently trading near 1.0810, representing a 0.10% drop on the day, having declined by 0.30% on Wednesday.
Focus on PMIs
Eurozone's preliminary PMI numbers for April will likely test the appetite for the single currency during the European trading hours.
Germany's Markit Manufacturing PMI, due at 07:30 GMT, is expected to show the deterioration in the manufacturing sector deepened in April. The PMI is forecasted to drop to 39 from March's 45.4.
The Eurozone Manufacturing PMI is also expected to drop to 39.2 in April from 44.5 in March.
The worsening of the manufacturing activity should not come as a surprise as most European economies went in a self-imposed lockdown earlier this month to contain the coronavirus outbreak. Nevertheless, the single currency may draw offers if the actual figures show bigger-than-expected contraction.
Post-PMIs, the focus would shift to the European Union (EU) summit. EUR/USD will likely pick up a strong bid if the summit bridges deep divisions on the contentious issue of how to pay for a recovery fund to help the continent withstand the economic slump brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
ANZ analysts are of the opinion that Europe is not yet ready to deepen fiscal integration and the finance ministers may not be able to provide an appropriate fiscal stimulus. In that case, peripheral bond spreads may widen, leading to deeper losses in the EUR/USD pair.
Technical levels
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

Gold trades near record-high, stays within a touching distance of $3,100
Gold clings to daily gains and trades near the record-high it set above $3,080 earlier in the day. Although the data from the US showed that core PCE inflation rose at a stronger pace than expected in February, it failed to boost the USD.

EUR/USD turns positive above 1.0800
The loss of momentum in the US Dollar allows some recovery in the risk-associated universe on Friday, encouraging EUR/USD to regain the 1.0800 barrier and beyond, or daily tops.

GBP/USD picks up pace and retests 1.2960
GBP/USD now capitalises on the Greenback's knee-jerk and advances to the area of daily peaks in the 1.2960-1.2970 band, helped at the same time by auspicious results from UK Retail Sales.

Donald Trump’s tariff policies set to increase market uncertainty and risk-off sentiment
US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies are expected to escalate market uncertainty and risk-off sentiment, with the Kobeissi Letter’s post on X this week cautioning that while markets may view the April 2 tariffs as the "end of uncertainty," it anticipates increased volatility.

US: Trump's 'Liberation day' – What to expect?
Trump has so far enacted tariff changes that have lifted the trade-weighted average tariff rate on all US imports by around 5.5-6.0%-points. While re-rerouting of trade will decrease the effectiveness of tariffs over time, the current level is already close to the highest since the second world war.

The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD
SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.