Euro Eases On Paris Attack Ahead Of Presidential Election
April 21 2017 - 2:52AM
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The euro retreated from early highs against its major rivals in
the European session on Friday, weighed by a terror attack in Paris
before the crucial French Presidential election on Sunday.
An Elabe poll for BFM TV and L'Express magazine found that
centrist Emmanuel Macron leads the first round of election with 24
percent, while far-right leader Marine Le Pen scored 21.5 percent.
Conservative candidate Francois Fillon and far-left candidate
Jean-Luc Melenchonon gained 20 percent and 19.5 percent of votes,
respectively.
Even as Marcon hold onto lead, the gap between the other three
front runners are narrowing, making the outcome too close to
call.
Sentiment was hurt by the news of terrorist attack in Paris,
where a French policeman was shot dead and two others were wounded
ahead of the first round vote in the most uncertain election in
recent French history.
In economic front, survey results from IHS Markit showed that
Eurozone private sector growth hit a fresh six-year high in
April.
The flash composite output index rose unexpectedly to 56.7 in
April from 56.4 in March. Economists had forecast the score to
remain unchanged at 56.4.
Meanwhile, German private sector expanded strongly in April,
despite slower rises in both manufacturing output and services
activity.
The flash composite output index dropped to 56.3 in April from
March's six-year high of 57.1.
The euro held steady against its major rivals in the Asian
session, with the exception of the Swiss franc.
Reversing from an early high of 1.0738 against the greenback,
the euro dropped to a 3-day low of 1.0691. Continuation of the
euro's downtrend may see it challenging support around the 1.05
region.
The single currency slipped to 116.69 against the yen, off its
early high of 117.31. The euro is seen finding support around the
115.00 mark.
Figures from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed
that Japan's tertiary activity index increased at a
slower-than-expected pace in February, after falling in the
previous two months.
The tertiary activity index rose 0.2 percent month-over-month in
February, reversing a 0.2 percent drop in January. Economists had
expected a 0.3 percent climb for the month.
The common currency declined to a 2-day low of 1.0679 against
the Swiss franc, from a high of 1.0710 hit at 11:45 pm ET. If the
euro's extends fall, 1.05 is possibly seen as its next support
level.
The euro eased back to 0.8355 against the pound, after having
advanced to 0.8386 at 4:30 am ET. The currency had already set a
2-day low of 0.8354 at 4:00 am ET. On the downside, 0.82 is likely
seen as the next support level for the euro-pound pair.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed that
retail sales including automotive fuel decreased 1.8 percent
month-on-month in March, reversing a 1.7 percent rise in February.
Sales were forecast to fall moderately by 0.5 percent.
Excluding auto fuel, retail sales volume declined 1.5 percent,
in contrast to a 1.6 percent rise a month ago and bigger than the
expected 0.5 percent drop.
The 19-nation currency dropped to 2-day lows of 1.4194 against
the aussie and 1.4401 against the loonie, from its previous highs
of 1.4262 and 1.4453, respectively. The next possible downside
target for the euro may be found around 1.38 against the aussie and
1.43 against the loonie.
Pulling away from an early high of 1.5337 against the kiwi, the
euro weakened to 1.5259. The euro is poised to target support
around the 1.50 area.
Looking ahead, at 7:45 am ET, the Bank of England member Michael
Saunders speaks at the Federation of Small businesses in
London.
In the New York session, Canada consumer prices for March,
Markit's U.S. manufacturing PMI for April and U.S. existing home
sales for March are set for release.
At 9:30 am ET, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari speaks at
the Community Economic Development Symposium, in St. Paul.
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