After an upbeat start the Euro is edging lower versus the US Dollar, extending losses for a third straight session. The Euro US Dollar exchange rate settled on Monday -0.48% at US$1.0908 on broad US Dollar strength.
At 08:15 UTC, EUR/USD is trading down -0.15% at US$1.0890 as investors await the German court verdict on ECB bond purchases and ahead of the US service sector PMI.
ECB Public Sector Debt Purchases In Question
The Euro has given up earlier gains as investors look cautiously ahead to a decision from Germany’s constitutional court on whether the European Central Bank (ECB’s) purchases of public sector debt are illegal. The ECB has brought €2.2 trillion of public sector debt since launching the bond buying programme 6 years ago.
The broad expectation is that the court will accept the move by the ECB. However, there is a small risk that the court could rule against the central bank. This could trigger a serious monetary policy crisis in the eurozone.
The eurozone economic calendar sees the release of European Commission economic growth forecast data today. The forecasts will be closely eyes for clues as to what the economic recovery in the bloc is expected to look like.
US Service Sector PMI To Hit Record Low
The US Dollar is pushing marginally higher versus its peers on Tuesday, after a weaker start, amid an improved mood in the market. Optimism surrounding the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions and reopening of economies across the globe is overshadowing elevated US – Sino tensions. Whilst Trump’s efforts to hold China responsible for the covid-19 outbreak boosted flows into the safe have US Dollar on Monday, mixed messages from the White House overnight have helped calm nerves, for now. US stock futures are pointing to a positive start.
Today investors will look ahead to US ISM non-manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI). Analysts are expecting the PMI to plummet to 32, the weakest level on record and down from 52.5 in March as the lockdown measures resulted in a collapse in service sector demand. A very weak reading could unnerve investors and boost flows towards the safe haven US Dollar.
