empty
19.12.2024 01:54 PM
EUR/USD: Powell arranges sell-off. EUR plunges to 2-year low. Parity on horizon?

This image is no longer relevant

The EUR/USD pair plunged to 1.0351 with a single-session fall of 1.32%. The instrument recorded its lowest close in two years. This slump was triggered by unexpectedly hawkish statements from the Federal Reserve, which made it clear that no rate cuts are anticipated in January.

According to the updated FOMC forecasts, only two rate cuts are expected in 2025, significantly fewer than previous estimates. This adjustment in expectations led investors to reassess their positions. As a result, this entailed a sharp drop in stock indices, a rise in US Treasury yields, and, consequently, a strengthening of the dollar.

Despite being just six days before Christmas, markets faced another unpleasant surprise. Under the influence of the Fed's hawkish statement, the S&P 500 index tumbled by 2.95%, marking its steepest post-meeting decline since 2001.

The reaction also extended to the debt market. Higher yields on US Treasuries compared to other countries provide investors with an additional incentive to invest in the US. The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury bills jumped by 11.5 basis points, surpassing 4.5% for the first time since May. In comparison, the yield on 10-year German bonds is only about 2.29%.

According to strategists, the Fed's intention to moderate the pace of rate cuts is bearish for the US dollar due to the widening short-term interest rate differentials with the eurozone.

Analysts are closely monitoring changes in the FOMC's dot plots, which reflect individual committee members' expectations for future interest rates. The latest snapshot indicates a cumulative rate cut of 50 basis points in 2025 (two steps of 25 bps each), twice lower than the 100 bps forecasted in September and below the 75 bps expected by market consensus before the update was released.

The revised forecasts reinforced the outlook for a higher funds rate, with the long-term median dot now projected at 3.0%. This suggests that the current rate-cutting cycle will end at a higher level than previously anticipated.

At the same time, economic forecasts were revised upwards: the annual inflation rate for 2025 is now expected at 2.5%, up from the earlier estimated 2.1% increase. Most FOMC members believe core inflation will continue to decline in 2025.

Jerome Powell noted that the latest rate cut was a difficult decision and confirmed the Fed's intention to slow the pace of monetary policy easing. He emphasized that before any further rate cuts, the central bank expects clearer progress in reducing inflationary pressures and will not tolerate inflation persistently above the 2% target.

As a result, markets are revising their expectations, preparing for a prolonged pause in the Fed's easing cycle. This scenario could keep the US dollar elevated through 2025, further pressuring the euro. Could parity be on the horizon?

Temporary rebound in EUR/USD

During Thursday's European session, the EUR/USD pair managed to climb back above the 1.0400 level, as the bullish momentum of the US dollar slightly weakened following Wednesday's sharp rally.

This image is no longer relevant

However, fundamental signals still do not provide a basis for a shift in the overall negative trend. Both short-term and long-term exponential moving averages (EMAs) reveal the bearish trend.

The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) broke below the lower border of the bearish range at 20.00 to 40.00, signaling the formation of a new downtrend.

From a technical viewpoint, the key support level for the EUR/USD pair could be 1.0200, provided it breaks below the two-year low at 1.0330.

In the case of an upward correction, the nearest significant obstacle for bulls would be around the 1.0500 zone, where the 20-day EMA is recognized.

Natalya Andreeva,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

S&P, Nasdaq, and Dow climb in sync as markets digest jobs data and trade developments

The S&P 500 rose by 0.83%; the Nasdaq gained 1.02%; the Dow advanced by 0.77%. US job growth exceeded expectations in June. Tripadvisor rallied on Starboard Value's report. Synopsys

13:11 2025-07-04 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for July 4

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq stock indices rose by 0.83% and 1.02%, respectively, hitting new all-time highs. Index futures, however, retreated due to concerns over the potential introduction

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:45 2025-07-04 UTC+2

S&P, Nasdaq, Dow rally as markets react to jobs, trade policy surprises

S&P 500 up 0.83%; Nasdaq up 1.02%; Dow up 0.77% U.S. job growth beats expectations in June Tripadvisor rises on Starboard Value report, gaining share Synopsys, Cadence rise as U.S

Thomas Frank 08:23 2025-07-04 UTC+2

What could tip USD: NFP, Fed moves, or Big Beautiful Bill?

Wall Street keeps churning out record after record. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 , driven by IT giants, once again set a fresh all-time high. The catalyst was not only

Svetlana Radchenko 13:17 2025-07-03 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for July 3

The S&P 500 index once again reached an all-time high thanks to sustained demand for technology stocks and a positive reaction to the US-Vietnam trade agreement on tariffs. Investors

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:58 2025-07-03 UTC+2

Stocks Ride: Nasdaq Jumps, S&P Rises, Dow Falls — There's More Behind It

Nasdaq Closes 0.94%; S&P 500 Up 0.47%; Dow Down 0.02% Centene Falls After Cutting 2025 Outlook Tesla Rises, Rebounds From Early Week Losses Wall Street Futures Up 0.1%, Nikkei Flat

Thomas Frank 10:28 2025-07-03 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for July 2

The S&P 500 index declined by 0.11%, the Nasdaq 100 lost 0.82%, while the Dow Jones rose by 0.91%. Investors are awaiting the release of macroeconomic data that could influence

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:32 2025-07-02 UTC+2

Tesla falls, European stocks rise

Tesla Shares Fall as Musk-Trump Feud Renews Powell Doesn't Rule Out July Rate Cut Mixed Signals in US Manufacturing Labor and Contracts European Stocks Rise on Wednesday, Led by Industrial

Thomas Frank 10:56 2025-07-02 UTC+2

Stock Market Rises Higher: What's Pushing Dow, Nasdaq, S&P Higher

Bank Stocks Rise After Fed Stress Test Tesla Shares Fall Gold Rises as Oil Prices Fall on OPEC+ Output Expectations Zealand Pharma Gains After BNP Opens Coverage with 'Outperformance' InPost

Thomas Frank 12:11 2025-07-01 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for July 1

Monday's trading ended in positive territory: the S&P 500 rose by 0.52%, while the Nasdaq 100 added 0.47%. The start of the second half of the year unfolded amid optimistic

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:43 2025-07-01 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.