- EUR/USD may extend gains as the US Dollar weakens on optimism over renewed US–Iran talks.
- Trump signaled talks may restart this week, with opposing a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program.
- ECB’s Lagarde said the bank is well-positioned on Iran risks but warned it’s too early to dismiss the shock.
EUR/USD remains flat after seven days of gains, trading around 1.1790 during the Asian hours on Wednesday. The pair may extend its gains as the US Dollar (USD) weakened amid rising optimism that the United States (US) and Iran could soon resume negotiations, boosting hopes for a deal to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The New York Post reported that US President Donald Trump signaled talks could restart this week, while also noting he opposes a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance highlighted “a lot of progress” in the initial round of Iran negotiations in Pakistan, with follow-up talks potentially scheduled within days
Meanwhile, softer-than-expected US Producer Price Index (PPI) data reinforced the view of easing inflation pressures. Notably, the services component, closely watched by the Federal Reserve (Fed), stood out, as it excludes direct energy and tariff-related effects.
The US PPI rose 0.5% month-over-month (MoM), well below the 1.2% consensus, while core PPI printed at 0.1% MoM versus expectations of 0.6%. On an annual basis, US PPI increased 4% in March, missing the 4.6% forecast and rising from February’s 3.4%, while Core PPI held steady at 3.8% YoY, unchanged from the prior month.
The Euro (EUR) finds support as easing energy prices provide relief to the Eurozone, given its status as a net importer of crude oil and natural gas. Markets are pricing modest tightening by the European Central Bank (ECB) at the April 30 meeting, along with two additional rate hikes this year.
ECB President Christine Lagarde stated that the central bank is well-positioned to manage developments related to Iran, while cautioning that it is too early to dismiss the impact of the shock.
