EUR/USD has edged higher on Monday, as the pair trades at 1.0860. On the release front, German Ifo Business Climate climbed to 112.3, above the forecast of 111.2 points. In the US, there are no economic indicators, but we’ll hear from two FOMC members – Charles Evans and Robert Kaplan. On Tuesday, the US releases CB Consumer Confidence.
The week has started on a bright note in Europe. German Ifo Business Climate rose to 112. 3 points, its highest level since July 2011. The release underscores high optimism in the business sector, despite rumblings of protectionism from the US and the uncertainty over Brexit. Germany, the largest economy in Europe, continues to post strong numbers, which has been good news for the eurozone economy. Last week’s PMIs pointed to expansion in the manufacturing and service sectors. German and eurozone Manufacturing PMIs both beat their estimates and hit their highest levels since 2011. The markets are keeping a close eye on Germany, which later this week releases CPI, retail sales and unemployment claims. One soft spot in the economy, however, is consumer confidence. GfK German Consumer Climate lost ground for a second straight month, as the indicator dropped to 9.8 in March, its lowest level since November 2016. Eurozone Consumer Confidence remains weak, as the indicator posted a decline of -5 in March, almost unchanged from a month earlier. These soft numbers are largely a result of higher inflation, as consumers are concerned about their reduced purchasing power.
The market euphoria over President Trump’s upset election win is long past. The inquiry into the Trump administration’s links with Russia continues to make headlines, and is another cause for concern for nervous investors. Trump has been in office for over two months, but he has yet to provide any details over even an outline of economic policy. Last week, Trump’s proposed bill to change Obamacare was not even voted on, as the White House could not garner enough support to pass the bill. This debacle will only increase market uneasiness over Trump, and could send the dollar downwards even further.
