EUR/USD Forecast Oct. 26-30 – ECB decision and German GDP in focus

Updated: 25 Oct. 2020 | 21:41

EUR/USD jumped 1.2% last week, marking its best week since July. There are seven events in the upcoming week, including the ECB rate decision. Here is an outlook at the highlights and an updated technical analysis for EUR/USD.

Consumer confidence remains weak in the eurozone and Germany. German GfK Consumer Climate came in at -3.1, while Eurozone Consumer Confidence dipped to -16, its lowest level in five months. German and eurozone Manufacturing PMIs beat their estimates, with readings of 58.0 and 54.4, respectively. Both readings were well into expansionary territory, above the 50-level. It’s a different story in the services sector, where German and eurozone PMIs indicated contraction, with readings of 48.9 and 46.2, respectively.

In the US, jobless claims were excellent, falling to 787 thousand, down from 898 thousand beforehand. This was the lowest level since March, prior to the spread of Covid-19, which sent unemployment levels skyrocketing. Manufacturing PMI came in at 53.3, just shy of the estimate of 55.5 points. The Services PMI improved to 56.0, beating the estimate of 54.7 points. Both readings indicate expansion, above the 50-level which separates contraction from expansion.

EUR/USD daily chart with support and resistance lines on it. Click to enlarge:

German Ifo Business Climate: Monday, 9:00. Business confidence in the eurozone’s largest economy has accelerated for five straight months, reaching 93.4 in September. The forecast for October stands at 93.1 points.
Monetary Data: Tuesday, 9:00. M3 Money Supply fell to an annual growth rate of 9.5% in August, down from 10.2% beforehand. Private Loans remained pegged at 3.0% in August y/y. Money Supply is projected to rise to 9.6% and Private Loans are expected to edge up to 3.1%.
German Prelim CPI: Thursday, All Day. Inflation in Germany has fallen off sharply. CPI has posted three straight declines, with a reading of -0.2%. We now await the September data.
ECB Rate Decision: Thursday, 12:45. The ECB is likely to maintain rates at 0.00%, so the focus will be on the rate statement and press conference with ECB President Christine Lagarde. Any discussion about deflation or the high value of the euro could affect the movement of the currency.
French Consumer Spending: Friday, 6:30. Consumer spending in the eurozone’s No. 2 economy rose 2.3% in August, but analysts are braced for a reading of -2.0% in the upcoming release.
German GDP: Friday, 7:00. Germany’s economy plunged 10.1% in Q2, but a strong rebound is projected for Q3, with an estimate of 6.9%.
Eurozone Inflation Report: Friday, 10:00. Deflation remains a major headache for eurozone policymakers. CPI has posted two straight declines and another decline of 0.3% is expected in October. The core reading is projected to remain at 0.2%.

EUR/USD Technical analysis

Technical lines from top to bottom:

We start with resistance at 1.2136.

1.2057 has held in resistance since April 2018.

1.1974 is protecting the symbolic 1.20 level.

1.1877 is an immediate resistance line.

1.1744 is providing support.

1.1648 is next.

1.1573 (mentioned last week) has provided support since July. It is the final support level for now.

I am neutral on EUR/USD

The euro continues to show volatility and this trend could continue. The ECB rate announcement and German GDP and CPI reports could have a significant impact on the fortunes of the currency this week.

Kenny Fisher

Kenny Fisher - Senior Writer A native of Toronto, Canada, Kenneth worked for seven years in the marketing and trading departments at Bendix, a foreign exchange company in Toronto. Kenneth is also a lawyer, and has extensive experience as an editor and writer. Kenny's Google Profile

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