EUR/USD has posted gains in the Thursday session. Currently, the pair is trading at 1.1822, up 0.40% on the day. On the release front, German Factory Orders plunged 2.5%, missing the estimate of 0.7%. In the eurozone, Revised GDP dipped to 0.4%, matching the estimate. In the U.S, unemployment claims is expected to edge higher to 223 thousand.
After years of stimulus to boost the eurozone economy, ECB policymakers are focused on the question of whether it is time to wind up the bank’s bond purchase program. The ECB currently buys EUR 30 billion each month, and the scheme is scheduled to end in September. The bank has extended the program in the past, but stronger economic conditions have strengthened the case to finally end stimulus. The ECB has not formally discussed the issue, leaving the markets to hunt for any clues about the bank’s plans. On Wednesday, ECB chief economist Peter Praet said that the ECB would commence discussing the issue next week, when the Governing Council meets in Riga, Latvia. Many policymakers favor a gradual reduction in stimulus over several months, rather than completely turning off the tap in September. If the ECB makes any announcements regarding further tapering, we could see some strong movement from EUR/USD.
Meetings between G-7 leaders are often a chance to catch up with friends and hold a photo-op, but this year’s summit could be explosive, with plenty of bad will between six of the members and President Trump. The reason? The renewal of the tariff spat, courtesy of the U.S slapping aluminum and steel tariffs on the European Union and Canada. Last week, finance ministers from six members of the G-7 were united in their criticism of US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin over the brewing trade war. Will we see a higher profile, repeat performance at this meeting? Canada and Mexico have already announced retaliatory duties on U.S products. The escalating trade battle is sure to dominate the summit, and if the leaders fail to resolve matters, the result could be a nasty trade war between the U.S and its major trading partners.
