The Euro (EUR) shows marginal losses against the British Pound (GBP) on Thursday but remains trading within the last few days’ range around 0.8660, lacking any clear bias.
TD Securities strategists expect the European Central Bank (ECB) to leave the deposit rate at 2.00%, reiterating a meeting-by-meeting approach without pre-committing on future moves. However, recent inflation expectations data raise the risk of a more hawkish press conference.
The Pound Sterling (GBP) faces selling pressure, prima facie, after the Bank of England’s (BoE) monetary policy announcement. As expected, the BoE has left interest rates unchanged at 3.75%, with an 8-1 majority. This is the third straight meeting that the BoE has maintained the status quo.
USD/CAD trades around 1.3655 on Thursday, down 0.21% on the day, after stabilizing in the previous day. The pair faces short-term pressure due to a modest pullback in the US Dollar, although downside momentum may remain limited in an uncertain macro environment.
Deutsche Bank economists expect the European Central Bank (ECB) to keep the deposit rate at 2% while markets fully price a June hike due to Europe’s energy exposure.
Societe Generale strategists expect the European Central Bank (ECB) to keep rates unchanged today despite a hawkish bias after past late tightening. It warns that unresolved Gulf tensions in six weeks could make a future rate hike more contentious as growth risks rise.
Francesco Pesole at ING argues that Bank of England (BoE) tightening expectations, now close to European Central Bank (ECB) pricing, look excessive given the higher starting rate and less hawkish BoE stance.
Deutsche Bank economists expect the Bank of England (BoE) to keep rates at 3.75%, stressing two-sided risks as growth forecasts are cut and inflation projections raised.
The European Central Bank (ECB) is scheduled to announce its monetary policy decision on Thursday, following its April meeting. The Frankfurt-based institution is widely expected to keep its key interest rates unchanged, leaving the deposit facility at 2%, a level considered broadly neutral.