The EUR/USD is trading around 1.14000 in the new European session. Stock markets are falling in Europe, following the lead from Asia and from Wall Street on Wednesday. Fears about the impact of tariffs and the Fed’s tightening weigh on stocks. US President Donald Trump blamed the Fed, but his intervention could backfire.
The risk-off sentiment pushed the US Dollar and the safe-haven Japanese yen higher. Also, Europe has problems of its own. The German IFO Business Climate dropped from 103.7 to 102.8, short of expectations. The publication goes hand in hand with Wednesday’s disappointing Purchasing Managers’ Indices, especially in the manufacturing sector.
Another ongoing concern is Italy. The euro zone’s third-largest economy continues clashing with the European Commission over its budget deficit. The rhetoric on both sides remained defiant on Wednesday.
An Italian will take center-stage today. Mario Draghi, the President of the European Central Bank, will hold an hour-long press conference at 12:30 GMT. His press conference follows the rate decision by the Frankfurt-based institution. The ECB is projected to leave all policy measures unchanged: the main lending rate at 0%, the deposit rate at -0.40% and the pace of monthly bond purchases at €15 billion. The ECB reduced the QE scheme this month, en route to ultimately ending the program at the end of the year.
Recent inflation numbers have been weak, but growth remains OK. Draghi is likely to convey these messages as well as the intention to raise rates not before September 2019. He will be asked about the outlook for a rate hike, the EC clash with his country, and other topics.
If Draghi emphasizes growth and employment, the Euro could gain. If he expresses concerns about inflation and populism, the Euro could lose ground.
