Euro Outlook Slightly Bearish as EA Economy Slows but Interest Rates Rise
Euro Currency Report September
Derbyshire, UK – September 28, 2023 - This is the currency report for the Euro and is intended to be a reference aid for your own analysis and trade planning. This edition contains a refreshed format for readability and now includes retail sales data. The next update will be after the EA CPI report on Tuesday, September 29th, or before if any significant event occurs.
Decisions to trade are made at your own monetary risk.
Euro Outlook Slightly Bearish as EA Economy Slows but Interest Rates Rise
The European Central Bank raised interest rates to 4.50% in September, signalling its commitment to bringing inflation back to 2%, even if it means slowing economic growth. The euro area economy has slowed but still has a cautiously optimistic outlook, with recent GDP contractions expected to recover and unemployment expected to remain steady. Macroeconomic signals suggest a slightly bearish outlook for the euro, as the economy is slower than before and inflation remains high. Geopolitical events, such as the gas dispute with Russia and the war in Ukraine, are also adding uncertainty and putting downward pressure on the value of the euro.
Monetary Policy
In the Euro Area, the benchmark interest rate is set by six members of the Governing Council plus nineteen governors from the national central banks of the countries using the euro.
Interest Rates Hiked, ECB Target Inflation Over Growth
The six members of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) Governing Council (plus nineteen governors from the national banks of the countries using the euro) set monetary policy, including the Main Refinancing Operations rate (interest rate). The main refinancing operations rate is the interest rate that banks pay to borrow money from the ECB overnight and is secured by bonds. This rate affects the interest that banks charge their borrowers.
The governing council meets to set monetary policy eight times a year, the latest was September 14th and the next is on October 26th.
The interest rate of the EA was hiked at the September meeting by 0.25% after also being hiked by 0.25% in August and throughout almost all of the previous twelve meetings. This indicates that the ECB is hawkish and is focused on stamping out the high rate of inflation. Trading Economics forecast 4.50% to be the peak rate and 2024 to see cuts of 0.75%.
Key points of the ECB’s Governing Council September 2023 meeting:
Raised its key interest rates by 25 basis points in order to bring inflation back to its 2% medium-term target.
Expects inflation to average 5.6% in 2023, 3.2% in 2024 and 2.1% in 2025.
Rate increase is likely to dampen economic growth, which is now expected to be 0.7% in 2023, 1.0% in 2024 and 1.5% in 2025.
Will keep interest rates at restrictive levels for as long as necessary to bring inflation back to target.
Sources: European Central Bank, Macroeconomic Projections, Trading Economics, FXStreet
The Economy is Slowly Growing but has a Mixed Outlook
The ECB’s Governing Council makes macroeconomic projections four times a year. The most recent was at their September meeting and they will be updated in November.
Annual Real GDP has a pessimistic outlook compared to the Governing Councils forecast and shows a contraction is likely.
Annual HICP has an optimistic outlook compared to the Governing Councils forecast and is on track to come in below expectations.
Macroeconomics Signals a Slightly Bearish Outlook for the Euro
Outlook for Growth Shows that Slowing Economy May Rebound
The EA GDP quarterly rate report measures the change in value of goods and services produced in the EA over a given month compared with the previous. The latest data covers the Q2 period and was published on September 7th by Eurostat and the next version is out on October 31st.
The quarterly rate of GDP in the EA has been falling quickly over the past four months although recently rebounded, after being mostly neutral for the previous year. This indicates that the economy is slowing and is at risk of recession.
The Q2 growth rate of 0.10% was higher than Q1’s -0.10%, and bucked the recent downtrend. The forecasting model predicts 0.2% growth during Q3, which would also be above the recent downtrend and suggests that a recession could be avoided. Trading Economics are far more optimistic, with a forecast of 0.4%.
Sources: Eurostat, Trading Economics, FXStreet
Outlook for Inflation Signals a Light Tailwind for Growth
The EA inflation rate report measures the change in value of a basket of goods and services in the EA over a given month compared with the previous. The latest data covers the August period and was published on September 19th by Eurostat and the next version is out on September 29th.
EA prices have been falling over the past four months although recently steadied out, after falling rapidly for the previous year. This suggests that the economy is slowing down, as demand falls and businesses compete for fewer customers. However, it could also be a sign that supply chains are improving.
August's inflation rate of 5.2% was only slightly lower than July's 5.3%, but it did continue the recent downtrend. However, the forecasting model predicts inflation of 5.6% for September, which would push prices above the recent downtrend and flatten it, suggesting that the slowing rate of inflation has stopped. Trading Economics are more optimistic, with a forecast of 4.7%.
Sources: Eurostat, Trading Economics, FXStreet
Outlook for Retail Sales Signals a Breezy Headwind to Growth
The EA retail sales report measures the change in value of aggregated retail goods and services sales over a given month compared with the previous. The latest data covers the July period and was published on September 6th by Eurostat and the next version is out on October 10th.
EA sales have significantly declined over the past four months, reversing the volatile but flat trend seen over the previous year. This is a sign of a slowing economy, as consumers tighten their belts amid the cost of living crisis and rising interest rates.
July sales (-0.2%) showed a deterioration over July (0.20%) and fell below the recent downtrend. The forecasting model predicts sales of 0.0% for September, which would be above the recent downtrend although still reflective of a slowdown. Trading Economics are slightly more optimistic with their forecast of 0.1%.
Sources: Eurostat, Trading Economics, FXStreet
Outlook for Unemployment Signals a Calm Tailwind to Growth
The EA unemployment rate report measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force over a given month. The latest data covers the July period and was published on August 31st by Eurostat and the next version is out on October 2nd.
EA unemployment has been stable over the past four months, continuing the stable trend seen over the previous year. This is a sign of a stable economy, as businesses maintain employment levels.
July’s unemployment of 6.4% matched June’s 6.4% in line with the flat trend. The forecasting model predicts unemployment at 6.4% for September which would be a continuation of the trend. Trading Economics are forecasting 6.6%.
Sources: Eurostat, Trading Economics, FXStreet
Geopolitical Events Influence a Bearish Outlook for the Euro
Russia-EU Gas Dispute Applies Upwards Pressure to Inflation
The Russia–EU gas dispute flared up in March 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. Russia cut the flow of gas to Europe significantly, and in September 2022, it stopped it altogether. As of August 2023, Russian pipeline gas exports continued to flow to some EU countries and non-EU countries in Europe, but the flow was significantly reduced from pre-war levels. Europe also imported record volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia in 2022.
Recent Key Events
Russia has cut gas supplies to Europe significantly since April 2022, and stopped them altogether to Poland, Bulgaria, Finland, and Ukraine.
Russia has also reduced gas flows via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, citing technical difficulties.
In September 2022, the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines ruptured, likely due to sabotage.
European countries have been working to secure alternative gas supplies, including from Norway, Qatar, and the United States.
EU gas prices have soared in response to the disruptions, but have fallen in recent months as storage levels have increased.
The gas delivery disruptions have had a significant impact on the European economy, as gas is a key source of energy for many industries and households.
Russian Invasion of Ukraine Adds Uncertainty
On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War which began in 2014. The invasion is the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II and has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties on both sides. The invasion has also caused a humanitarian crisis, with millions of Ukrainians displaced from their homes. The international community has condemned the invasion and imposed sanctions on Russia. The International Criminal Court is investigating possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russian forces.
Recent Key Events
June 2023: The Ukrainian counteroffensive in June 2023 made significant progress, with Ukraine liberating villages and reclaiming territory in the eastern Donbas region. The Wagner Group's rebellion against the Russian government was a major setback for Russia.
August 2023: Ukraine counteroffensive slowed by millions of mines laid by Russia. Ukrainian drones damage the Russian landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak.
September: An attack on Russian naval targets in Sevastopol damages the Black Sea fleet. Several oil and gas drilling platforms on the Black Sea held by Russia since 2015 have been retaken.
The war in Ukraine is having a negative impact on the global economy, including the value of the Euro. The war has caused energy prices to soar and disrupted supply chains, which are putting upward pressure on inflation and weighing on the EA economy.
Gavin Pearson
Retail trader since 2008
Specialises in forex G7 currencies
Funded account from the5ers.com
Member of the eToro Popular Investors Program
Regular contributor to FXStreet.com analysis and education pages
Jeepson Trading Fund
Returned 27% in 2022 and 5.8% in 2023 H1
Forex focused
Copy Trading available at eToro
eToro
eToro is a social trading platform
Users can copy trades by clicking the "Copy" button on the profile page
Disclaimer
Past performance is not indicative of future results
Trading involves risk, and you could lose money
-end-