Investing.com - The euro declined against the dollar on Friday amid concerns the European economy is floundering and may require fresh stimulus measures from the European Central Bank.
EUR/USD hit 1.2790 on Thursday, the pair’s highest level since September 24, before subsequently consolidating at 1.2629 by close of trade on Friday, down 0.48% for the day but still 0.91% higher for the week.
The pair is likely to find support at 1.2582, the low from October 6, and resistance at 1.2790, the high from October 9.
Market sentiment was hit by fears that Germany, the euro zone’s largest economy is being dragged into a recession after recent data indicated unexpected weakness in manufacturing and exports.
Data released on Thursday showed that German exports fell 5.8% in August, and this followed weak industrial output figures on Tuesday.
Earlier in the week, the International Monetary Fund cut its forecasts for global growth in 2014 and 2015 and warned that global growth may never reach its pre-crisis levels ever again.
The fund revised down its growth forecasts for the euro area’s three largest economies Germany, France and Italy.
Steep declines in commodity-price declines also fuelled fears that the global economy is slowing. Brent crude oil prices fell to their lowest level for nearly four years on Friday.
The dollar weakened after the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s September meeting released Wednesday showed that some officials were concerned over a slowdown in global growth and the impact of the stronger dollar on the U.S. inflation outlook.
"Some participants expressed concern that the persistent shortfall of economic growth and inflation in the euro area could lead to a further appreciation of the dollar and have adverse effects on the U.S. external sector," the minutes said.
The minutes prompted investors to trim back expectations for an earlier-than-expected hike in U.S. interest rates.
On Friday, Fed Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer said weaker-than-expected global growth could prompt it to slow the pace of eventual interest rate hikes.
The US Dollar Index, which tracks the performance of the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, ended the week down 1% at 85.92. The move ended a 12-week rally that saw the index gain more than 8% since early July.
In the week ahead, investors will be awaiting U.S. data on retail sales and industrial production for fresh indications on the strength of the economic recovery. Tuesday’s ZEW report on German economic sentiment will also be closely watched.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, October 13
Markets in the U.S. will be closed for Columbus Day.
Tuesday, October 14
The ZEW Institute is to release its closely watched report on German economic sentiment, a leading indicator of economic health.
The euro zone is to publish data on industrial production.
Wednesday, October 15
The U.S. is to release data on retail sales, the government measure of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity. The country is also to report on producer prices and manufacturing activity in the New York region.
Thursday, October 16
The euro zone is to publish revised data on consumer prices for September.
The U.S. is to release the weekly report on initial jobless claims as well as data on industrial production and manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region.
Friday, October 17
The U.S. is to round up the week with reports on building permits and housing starts, as well as a preliminary report on consumer sentiment.