empty
07.01.2025 12:37 AM
Inflation Returns to the Eurozone, but Euro Prospects Remain Weak

Ahead of the eurozone consumer inflation report, concerns about renewed price growth have increased as major eurozone countries have reported inflation rates that exceed forecasts. In Germany, prices rose at a faster-than-expected rate in December, showing a year-over-year increase of 2.6%, up from 2.2% the previous month. In Spain, inflation reached 2.8% during the same period, surpassing the forecast of 2.6%. France is scheduled to release its inflation report on Tuesday, just two hours before the eurozone-wide data is made public. If French inflation also exceeds expectations, we can expect the euro to strengthen.

This image is no longer relevant

It's uncertain whether the current situation is a temporary phenomenon or the beginning of a broader inflationary trend. However, the risks facing the European Central Bank are increasing as it faces difficult policy choices. One significant factor is the halt of Russian gas transit, which came about after Ukraine chose not to extend the transit agreement. As a result, the price of gas on the TTF exchange has doubled from its lows last February, reaching $540 per 1,000 cubic meters in early January. This increase in energy costs is likely to push overall inflation higher, which in turn will affect the core inflation rate. This scenario suggests inflation may rise even as economic prospects remain weak.

Additionally, there is a potential threat of increased trade tariffs, primarily aimed at countries like China, Mexico, and Canada, according to former President Trump's priorities. Although this threat is currently hypothetical, it would be unrealistic to assume that Europe could avoid being affected.

Current market forecasts indicate that the ECB is expected to cut rates by a total of 100 basis points this year, significantly more than the anticipated rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. This difference in rate adjustments is likely to lead to higher yields for the dollar, putting long-term downward pressure on the euro. However, if inflation increases and the eurozone economy shows signs of resilience, forecasts for ECB rates could be revised, possibly paving the way for a correction in the euro's value.

We will soon have more clarity on this scenario. The composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for December surpassed expectations, rising from 49.5 to 49.6. While this figure remains in contraction territory, it does not indicate a significant shift, particularly in light of the renewed pressures from rising energy costs.

Speculative positioning in the euro remains bearish. The latest CFTC report, which was delayed due to the holiday season, may provide additional insights. For now, however, there are no signs of a reversal in EUR/USD. The estimated fair value remains below the long-term average and continues to trend downward.

This image is no longer relevant

Last week, the euro hit a more than two-year low at 1.0225. The current correction is likely to be short-lived, with resistance anticipated around 1.0440/50. After testing this level, further selling is expected. A critical factor for the euro in the near term will be the release of the December consumer inflation index on Tuesday. If the German data exceeds expectations and drives up the eurozone-wide index, the corrective rally could extend. Otherwise, the euro is likely to form a local peak and resume its decline, potentially revisiting 1.0225 and aiming to consolidate below that level.

Kuvat Raharjo,
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

GBP/USD Overview – June 13: The Court Won't Stop Donald Trump!

The GBP/USD currency pair continued its upward movement on Thursday and nearly updated its three-year high. For most of the day, quotes hovered around the 1.36 level

Paolo Greco 03:41 2025-06-13 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – June 13: America's Economy Gets Lucky

The EUR/USD currency pair continued its strong upward movement throughout Thursday. Is anyone still puzzled as to why the U.S. dollar keeps falling? From our point of view, the reasons

Paolo Greco 03:41 2025-06-13 UTC+2

Trump Sends Out "Letters of Happiness"

It has been less than two weeks since Donald Trump raised import tariffs on steel and aluminum for all countries except the UK. While negotiations with the UK were deemed

Chin Zhao 00:21 2025-06-13 UTC+2

GBP/USD. A Weak Pound Stronger Than a Weak Greenback

Following weak UK labor market data, equally soft figures on British economic growth were released on Thursday. Almost all components of the report came out in the "red zone," increasing

Irina Manzenko 00:20 2025-06-13 UTC+2

The Dollar Flees the Battlefield

The old becomes new again. The word "recession" again trended in the Forex and other financial markets. May's U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell short of Bloomberg analysts' forecasts. Following

Marek Petkovich 00:20 2025-06-13 UTC+2

Market sells facts

Markets rise on rumors and fall on facts. For a long time, the S&P 500 had been rising due to investors' confidence in a US-China trade agreement. Once the deal

Marek Petkovich 16:53 2025-06-12 UTC+2

The Fed Is Right—It's Too Early to Cut Rates (I Expect a Decline in #SPX and an Increase in Gold Prices)

The fresh U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released on Wednesday, although below the consensus forecast, confirmed the persistence of inflationary pressure. This fully justifies the Federal Reserve's reluctance

Pati Gani 10:37 2025-06-12 UTC+2

Trump Threatens Tariffs Again – Markets React

President Donald Trump announced yesterday that he intends to send letters to trade partners within the next one to two weeks outlining unilateral tariff rates. This is ahead

Jakub Novak 09:10 2025-06-12 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on June 12? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

A significant number of macroeconomic reports are set for Thursday, but only a few are truly important. The key reports to highlight are the GDP and industrial production data from

Paolo Greco 05:52 2025-06-12 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – June 12: Protests Against Trump and Fed Policy

The GBP/USD currency pair continued to trade very calmly on Wednesday. Naturally, when U.S. inflation data was released, we saw a brief burst of market reaction—though it didn't last long

Paolo Greco 04:07 2025-06-12 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.