- EUR/USD pierces the range top at 1.1570 amid a brighter market mood.
- Eurozone Services PMI has been revised slightly higher in March.
- Investors hold their breath ahead of Trump’s deadline for destroying Iran.
The Euro (EUR) has brushed off previous weakness to extend its recovery against the US Dollar (USD) to reach fresh weekly highs above 1.1570 on Tuesday’s European morning session. The market sentiment has improved, with European equities turning positive after a negative opening, and Eurozone services activity revised up, which has provided some support for the common currency.
Eurozone HCOB Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) has been revised to 50.2 on Tuesday from the 50.1 preliminary reading, although it remains significantly below February’s 51.9 reading. Among country members, Spain’s services activity stands out with a 53.3 reading, although France’s services contracted for the third consecutive month, and Germany’s expansion was revised down to 50.9 from preliminary estimations of 51.2.
Investors’ appetite for risk remains limited as the US deadline to Iran draws closer. US President Donald Trump reiterated his threats on Monday, warning Tehran that the US could destroy a country tonight if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened before Tuesday, at 8 PM Easter Time (00:00 GMT on Wednesday).
Previously, the US and Iran rejected the 45-day ceasefire proposal offered by Pakistan, and Tehran came out with an alternative plan, considered “significant” by Trump but not good enough.
Before that, the European Central Bank’s (ECB) Governing Council member, Dimitar Radev, affirmed that it is still “too early” to say whether the bank will hike rates in April, as they might need some data amid the elevated level of uncertainty.
Technical Analysis: Pushing against the range top
The EUR/USD has turned higher, with technical indicators in the 4-hour chart suggesting an incipient bullish momentum. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) nears 60 after having remained flat around the 50 level, and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram is popping up above zero, although the MACD line remains practically flat.
A confirmation above the near-term channel’s top, at the 1.1570 area, would expose the late March and early April highs, in the area between 1.1630 and 1.1640. Further up, the March 10 high, at 1.1667, emerges as a plausible target.
Immediate support emerges at the 1.1505 area, which held bears on April 2 and 6. A confirmation below here would expose the March 30 and 31 lows near 1.1440, ahead of the multi-month lows, at 1.1411 hit in mid-March.
