EUR/USD: 1.07 Beckons as Pair Drifts Lower Ahead of the Fed - Levels to Watch

 | Jan 30, 2024 04:57

  • Ahead of the Fed decision, the EUR/USD pair's local downtrend has slowed near 1.08.
  • Despite robust U.S. economic data, any hint of rate cuts during Powell's press conference could lead to a significant decline in the US dollar.
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  • Before the Federal Reserve meeting, the financial markets typically experience reduced volatility as anticipation builds up ahead of the main event.

    This trend may also influence the EUR/USD pair during today's and tomorrow's sessions, as sellers approach the demand zone at 1.08, potentially signaling a local low.

    Meanwhile, recent data from the U.S. economy suggests it remains robust, alleviating the need for Fed officials to rush into an interest rate cut cycle.

    While the probability of rate cuts in March remains relatively unlikely, any hint of such a move during Jerome Powell's press conference could prompt a steep decline in the US dollar.

    h2 Hawks Set to Come to the Fore/h2

    As the Federal Reserve meeting approaches, attention turns to the composition of the board, which includes hawkish members such as Loretta Mester, Thomas Barkin, Raphael Bostic, and Mary Daly.

    Their recent statements indicate a preference for delaying interest rate cuts until the third quarter of the year, further reinforcing the expectation of maintaining the status quo in Wednesday's meeting.

    Currently, the market predicts a slightly over 50% probability of a 25-basis-point move in May, setting the tone for Powell's press conference.

    According to Michael Gapen, an economist at Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) Securities:

    "The Fed needs to buy time to see more data."

    Recent U.S. economic data, including the surprising annualized GDP growth rate of 3.3% versus forecasts of 2%, suggests the possibility of a soft landing, further supporting the Fed's cautious approach.