FX & Currencies
EUR/USD Advances on Upbeat German Ifo
27 Jul 2015
The EUR/USD surged more than 100 pips on Monday, briefly surpassing 1.11 after the Ifo Institute said German business confidence rose unexpectedly in July.
The EUR/USD reached a daily high of 1.1111 in Monday’s European session, the pair’s highest in two weeks. The EUR/USD would subsequently settle at 1.1065, advancing 0.8% or 85 pips. Key levels for the EUR/USD include 1.1102 on the upside (resistance) and 1.1000 on the downside (support).
In economic data, German business confidence improved unexpectedly in July, as the recent end to the Greek debt saga contributed to stronger sentiment toward the German economy.
The Ifo business climate index for German trade and industry climbed to 108.0 in July from 107.5 in June. Economists forecast a slight drop to 107.2.
The current assessment indicator climbed to 113.9 from 113.1 and the gauge of expectations rose to 102.4 from 102.1.
The EUR/USD backtracked at the start of the New York session after the Department of Commerce said US durable goods orders surged in June, with business investment plans rebounding at a solid rate.
New orders for manufactured goods meant to last three years or more rebounded 3.4% in June after declining 2.1% the previous month. Economists had forecast an increase of 3%. Durable goods excluding transportation equipment rose 0.8% from May.
Non-defense capital goods orders excluding aircraft, a key proxy for business investment, rose 0.9% after declining 0.4% in May.
In other trading, the euro rallied against the British pound, as the EUR/GBP climbed 0.7% or 52 pips to 0.7130. The pair is likely to face immediate resistance at 0.7161, the daily high. On the downside, initial support is likely found at 0.7067, the daily low.
The economic calendar is packed full of market-moving events for the EUR/USD this week. On Wednesday GfK will release its closely followed indicator of German consumer confidence. Germany’s Federal Statistics Office will report on national unemployment and CPI on Thursday. The European Commission will close out the week with a report on euro area inflation.
In the United States, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) rate meetings top headlines Tuesday and Wednesday. Although no change to the benchmark interest rate is expected, the Fed could signal for higher rates in the coming months. Fed Chair Janet Yellen told Congress earlier this month that interest rates are likely to rise this year for the first time in nearly a decade.
