- European Central Bank (ECB) to Stick to Zero-Interest Rate Policy (ZIRP), QE Program.
- Will the Governing Council Keep the Door Open to Further Extend Its Asset-Purchases?
For more updates, sign up for David's e-mail distribution list.
Trading the News: European Central Bank (ECB) Interest Rate Decision
The European Central Bank (ECB) may generate a limited market reaction as President Mario Draghi and Co. are widely expected to retain the current policy, but the fresh batch of central bank rhetoric may spark near-term headwinds for the Euro should the Governing Council show a greater willingness to further extend its easing-cycle.
What’s Expected:
Click Here for the DailyFX Calendar
Why Is This Event Important:Even though the ECB is on course to reduce its its asset-purchases to EUR 60B/month starting in April, the Governing Council may continue to strike a dovish outlook for monetary policy as officials argue ‘headline inflation had increased recently, mainly owing to developments in energy prices.’ In turn, the central bank may increase its efforts to thwart a ‘taper tantrum’ and utilize the non-standard measures beyond December 2017 amid the ongoing weakness in underlying inflation.
Expectations: Bearish Argument/Scenario
| Release | Expected | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Sales (MoM) (JAN) | 0.3% | -0.1% |
| Consumer Price Index Core (YoY) (FEB A) | 0.9% | 0.9% |
| Gross Domestic Product s.a. (YoY) (4Q P) | 1.8% | 1.7% |
The ongoing slack in the real economy accompanied by the slowdown in private-sector consumption may push the ECB to further support the monetary union, and the single currency stands at risk of facing additional headwinds in 2017 as the central bank struggles to achieve its one and only mandate for price stability.
Risk: Bullish Argument/Scenario
| Release | Expected | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Sentix Investor Confidence (MAR) | 18.5 | 20.7 |
| Producer Price Index (YoY) (JAN) | 3.2% | 3.5% |
| M3 Money Supply (YoY) (NOV) | 4.4% | 4.8% |
However, the ECB may tame expectations for additional monetary support as key metrics suggest ‘the economic recovery was firming,’ and more of the same from the Governing Council may foster range-bound conditions for the euro-dollar exchange as market attention turns to the Federal Reserve’s March 15 interest rate decision.
For More Updates, Join DailyFX Currency Analyst David Song for LIVE Analysis!
How To Trade This Event Risk(Video)
Bearish EUR Trade: Governing Council Keeps Door Open to Further Extend QE Program
- Need red, five-minute candle following the rate decision/press conference to consider a short EUR/USD trade.
- If market reaction favors a short Euro trade, sell EUR/USD with two separate position.
- Set stop at the near-by swing high/reasonable distance from cost; need at least 1:1 risk-to-reward.
- Move stop to entry on remaining position once initial target is met, set reasonable limit.
Bullish EUR Trade: ECB Shows Greater Willingness to Move Away From Easing-Cycle
- Need green, five-minute candle to favor a long EUR/USD trade.
- Implement same strategy as the bearish euro trade, just in the opposite direction.
If you’re looking for trading ideas, check out our Trading Guides.
Potential Price Targets For The Release
EUR/USD Daily
Chart - Created Using Trading View
- Failure to test the Fibonacci overlap around 1.0660 (50% expansion) to 1.0680 (78.6% expansion) may keep EUR/USD range-bound over the near-term as the 1.0370 (38.2% expansion) to 1.0420 (61.8% expansion) region continues to offer support, but the diverging paths for monetary policy continues to instill a long-term bearish outlook for the exchange rate as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) appears to be on course to deliver a March rate-hike; downside targets remain are in focus ahead of the U.S. Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) report as well amid the recent series of lower highs & lows.
- Interim Resistance: 1.0780 (100% expansion) to 1.0800 (23.6% retracement)
- Interim Support: 1.0300 pivot and 1.0370 (38.2% expansion)
Impact that the ECB rate decision has had on EUR/USD during the last meeting
| Period | Data Released | Estimate | Actual | Pips Change | Pips Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
JAN 2017 | 01/19/2017 12:45 & 13:30 GMT | 0.00% | 0.00% | -35 |
January 2017 European Central Bank Interest Rate Decision
EUR/USD 5-Minute
Chart - Created Using Trading View
After extending the deadline for the quantitative easing (QE) program at the last meeting for 2016, the European Central Bank (ECB) largely endorsed a wait-and-see approach for monetary policy, with President Mario Draghi and Co. keeping the door open to further adjust its non-standard measures as the central bank plans to reduce its asset-purchases to €60B/month starting in April. The ECB continued to strike a dovish outlook, with the central bank warning ‘headline inflation has increased lately, largely owing to base effects in energy prices, but underlying inflation pressures remain subdued.’ The Euro struggled to hold its ground following the ECB rate decision, but the market reaction was short-lived, with EUR/USD ending the day at 1.0663.
If you’re looking for trading ideas, check out our Trading Guides.
Read More:
S&P 500 Technical Outlook: Narrow Channel, Gap in Focus
Technical Weekly: EUR/USD Long Term Chart Conditions Refresher
Silver Carnage Comes Quickly, Gold Tipped Its Hat; More Selling Likely
March Forex Seasonality Sees Neutral Month for USD After February Rebound
--- Written by David Song, Currency Analyst
To contact David, e-mail dsong@dailyfx.com. Follow me on Twitter at @DavidJSong.
To be added to David's e-mail distribution list, please follow this link.
