EUR/USD edges higher as Dollar takes breather after weekly surge
- EUR/USD rebounds as the US Dollar eases from intraday highs.
- Weak US consumer sentiment contrasts with rising inflation expectations.
- Markets reassess interest rate outlook amid elevated Oil prices and geopolitical risks.
EUR/USD edges higher on Friday after early weakness, as the US Dollar (USD) pulls back from intraday highs, offering some support to the Euro (EUR). At the time of writing, the pair trades around 1.1545, recovering from a daily low at 1.1501.
The pullback in the US Dollar appears largely technical, as buyers take a breather following a strong rally earlier this week that pushed the US Dollar Index (DXY) above the key 100.00 psychological level.
The index, which tracks the Greenback against a basket of six major currencies, is currently hovering near 99.85, reflecting a modest pause in upside momentum. However, it remains on track for weekly gains, staying broadly supported amid ongoing Middle East tensions.
On the data front, the University of Michigan figures came in weaker than expected. The Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 53.3 in March 2026, down from the preliminary estimate of 55.5. The Consumer Expectations Index also declined to 51.7 from 54.1.
At the same time, inflation expectations moved higher. The 1-year outlook rose to 3.8% from 3.4%, while the 5-year expectation stayed at 3.2%.
Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin said higher gasoline prices are weighing on consumer sentiment and could crowd out other spending. He added that even before the recent oil shock, progress on inflation was at risk of stalling. Barkin also noted that while the unemployment rate remains low, the labor market still feels fragile, highlighting risks to both sides of the Fed’s dual mandate.
On the geopolitical front, the lack of fresh headlines has kept trading conditions relatively calmer today compared to earlier this week, when conflicting signals around potential US-Iran negotiations drove volatility. US President Donald Trump announced a delay in planned military strikes targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure. The deadline, initially set to expire on Friday, has now been extended by 10 days.
However, with no clear signs of a resolution yet and the Strait of Hormuz largely closed, Oil prices remain elevated, continuing to fuel inflation concerns. This is prompting markets to reprice the interest rate outlook, with traders now pricing in 2-3 European Central Bank (ECB) hikes by year-end, while expectations for Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts are being trimmed, with some even seeing the possibility of a hike later this year.
Central banks FAQs
Central Banks have a key mandate which is making sure that there is price stability in a country or region. Economies are constantly facing inflation or deflation when prices for certain goods and services are fluctuating. Constant rising prices for the same goods means inflation, constant lowered prices for the same goods means deflation. It is the task of the central bank to keep the demand in line by tweaking its policy rate. For the biggest central banks like the US Federal Reserve (Fed), the European Central Bank (ECB) or the Bank of England (BoE), the mandate is to keep inflation close to 2%.
A central bank has one important tool at its disposal to get inflation higher or lower, and that is by tweaking its benchmark policy rate, commonly known as interest rate. On pre-communicated moments, the central bank will issue a statement with its policy rate and provide additional reasoning on why it is either remaining or changing (cutting or hiking) it. Local banks will adjust their savings and lending rates accordingly, which in turn will make it either harder or easier for people to earn on their savings or for companies to take out loans and make investments in their businesses. When the central bank hikes interest rates substantially, this is called monetary tightening. When it is cutting its benchmark rate, it is called monetary easing.
A central bank is often politically independent. Members of the central bank policy board are passing through a series of panels and hearings before being appointed to a policy board seat. Each member in that board often has a certain conviction on how the central bank should control inflation and the subsequent monetary policy. Members that want a very loose monetary policy, with low rates and cheap lending, to boost the economy substantially while being content to see inflation slightly above 2%, are called ‘doves’. Members that rather want to see higher rates to reward savings and want to keep a lit on inflation at all time are called ‘hawks’ and will not rest until inflation is at or just below 2%.
Normally, there is a chairman or president who leads each meeting, needs to create a consensus between the hawks or doves and has his or her final say when it would come down to a vote split to avoid a 50-50 tie on whether the current policy should be adjusted. The chairman will deliver speeches which often can be followed live, where the current monetary stance and outlook is being communicated. A central bank will try to push forward its monetary policy without triggering violent swings in rates, equities, or its currency. All members of the central bank will channel their stance toward the markets in advance of a policy meeting event. A few days before a policy meeting takes place until the new policy has been communicated, members are forbidden to talk publicly. This is called the blackout period.
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