Uncertainty over rate cuts boost Euro

Published on 20.05.2024 12:11

EUR/USD is slightly down but clings to gains near 1.0900 in Monday’s New York session. The major currency pair remains in bullish territory due to investors’ higher risk appetite. The Euro has performed strongly in the past few trading sessions as market participants turn slightly cautious about whether the European Central Bank (ECB) will extend the policy-tightening spell beyond the June meeting. 

The ECB is widely anticipated to start reducing interest rates from the June meeting. However, ECB policymakers remain divided over the rate-cut move in the July meeting. A few policymakers remain worried that an aggressive rate-cut cycle could revamp price pressures and offset the impact yet made on inflation. 

Last week, ECB board member Isabel Schnabel said that depending on incoming data, a rate cut in June may be appropriate but the path beyond June is much more uncertain. Schnabel added that she cannot pre-commit to any particular rate path due to very high uncertainty. 

On the economic data front, investors will shift focus to the Eurozone and the United States preliminary Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data for May, which will be published on Thursday. The PMI data will indicate their economic outlook.