Investing.com - The euro pushed higher against the U.S. dollar in light trade on Monday, but gains were limited as investors remained cautious amid ongoing fears over U.S. fiscal policy.
EUR/USD hit 1.3233 during European afternoon trade, the daily high; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.3219, rising 0.22%.
The pair was likely to find support at 1.3163, the low of December 17 and resistance at 1.3296, the high of December 20.
Markets were jittery as investors continued to monitor developments surrounding the fiscal cliff in the U.S., approximately USD600 billion in automatic tax hikes and spending cuts due to come into effect on January 1.
Doubts over whether a deal will be reached ahead of the year-end intensified late Thursday after House Speaker John Boehner pulled his so-called “Plan B” fiscal cliff option, which called for tax increases only on Americans earning USD1 million or more per year, because his Republican colleagues did not support the legislation.
The U.S. House has adjourned for the Christmas holiday, fueling speculation that policymakers will not be able to avert the fiscal cliff. Without a deal, the U.S. could fall back into recession and drag much of the world down with it.
Adding to concerns, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti tendered his resignation after only 13 months in office, paving the way for a highly uncertain national election in February.
Elsewhere, the euro was also higher against the pound with EUR/GBP adding 0.26%, to hit 0.8175.
Trading volumes were expected to remain light because many traders have closed books to lock in profit before the end of the year, reducing liquidity in the market and increasing the volatility.
EUR/USD hit 1.3233 during European afternoon trade, the daily high; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.3219, rising 0.22%.
The pair was likely to find support at 1.3163, the low of December 17 and resistance at 1.3296, the high of December 20.
Markets were jittery as investors continued to monitor developments surrounding the fiscal cliff in the U.S., approximately USD600 billion in automatic tax hikes and spending cuts due to come into effect on January 1.
Doubts over whether a deal will be reached ahead of the year-end intensified late Thursday after House Speaker John Boehner pulled his so-called “Plan B” fiscal cliff option, which called for tax increases only on Americans earning USD1 million or more per year, because his Republican colleagues did not support the legislation.
The U.S. House has adjourned for the Christmas holiday, fueling speculation that policymakers will not be able to avert the fiscal cliff. Without a deal, the U.S. could fall back into recession and drag much of the world down with it.
Adding to concerns, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti tendered his resignation after only 13 months in office, paving the way for a highly uncertain national election in February.
Elsewhere, the euro was also higher against the pound with EUR/GBP adding 0.26%, to hit 0.8175.
Trading volumes were expected to remain light because many traders have closed books to lock in profit before the end of the year, reducing liquidity in the market and increasing the volatility.