The euro is sharply lower on Wednesday. In the European session, EUR/USD is trading at 1.1116 at the time of writing, down 0.60% on the day. There are no tier-1 events on today’s data calendar but Thursday will be busy, with German CPI and US GDP.
German CPI Expected to Ease
Germany, the largest economy in the eurozone, has lost its status as the locomotive of Europe and is yet to find its footing. GDP was flat in the second quarter after a 0.1% contraction in Q1, as the weak economy narrowly averted a technical recession.
The German consumer remains deeply pessimistic about economic conditions and that likely will dampen consumer spending, a key driver of the economy.
The eurozone follows on Friday with the August inflation report. CPI is expected to ease to 2.2% y/y, down from 2.6% in August. The core CPI rate is projected to tick lower to 2.8% versus 2.9% in July.
The data could offer clues about the ECB’s rate decision on Sept. 12. The ECB delivered its first rate cut of the new cycle in June and could trim again as early as next month if ECB policy makers are confident that inflation is moving in the right direction.
The US will release the second estimate of GDP for the second quarter on Thursday. The initial estimate showed the economy powering ahead with a 2.8% gain, double the 1.4% pace in Q1.
The second estimate is expected to confirm the initial reading and confirm that the economy remains in solid shape, despite concerns about a weak employment, which led to a global market meltdown earlier this month.
EUR/USD Technical
- EUR/USD has pushed below support at 1.1139. Next, there is support at 1.1076
- There is resistance at 1.1255 and 1.1318
