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EUR/USD Forecast – Struggles below 1.1700 as bears await 200-EMA breakdown on H4

  • EUR/USD struggles to register any meaningful recovery and hangs near a two-week low.
  • Rising Iran tensions and reviving hawkish Fed bets underpin the USD, capping spot prices.
  • The technical setup seems tilted in favor of bears and backs the case for further losses.

The EUR/USD pair remains on the back foot through the Asian session on Friday and currently trades around the 1.1680-1.1675 region, just above a nearly two-week low touched the previous day.

Despite a temporary extension of the ceasefire, the lack of progress in peace talks due to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports tempers hopes for a durable de-escalation and keeps investors on edge. Furthermore, elevated Crude Oil prices revive inflationary concerns and fuel hawkish US Federal Reserve (Fed) expectations. This, in turn, assists the US Dollar (USD) in preserving its gains registered over the past three days and acts as a headwind for the EUR/USD pair.

From a technical perspective, spot prices currently hover around the 200-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the 4-hour chart, keeping the immediate tone neutral after the recent slide from higher levels. However, Thursday’s breakdown below the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level of the recent upswing from the March swing low favors the EUR/USD bears. Moreover, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) near 32 suggests lingering downside pressure.

Meanwhile, the slightly negative Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) reading reinforces a lack of clear bullish momentum despite the EMA support. In the meantime, any further weakness could find immediate support near the 50.0% Fibonacci retracement at 1.1648. A convincing break below this zone would open the way toward the deeper retracement levels at 1.1600 and 1.1532, ahead of the cycle floor at 1.1445.

On the upside, initial resistance is located at the 38.2% Fibo. retracement at 1.1696, with a break there exposing the next hurdle at the 23.6% retracement at 1.1755. Nevertheless, the broader setup suggests that the path of least resistance for the EUR/USD pair is to the downside, and any meaningful recovery attempt is more likely to get sold into.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)

EUR/USD 4-hour chart

Chart Analysis EUR/USD

US Dollar Price This week

The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies this week. US Dollar was the strongest against the Swiss Franc.

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD0.52%0.18%0.61%0.18%-0.01%0.14%0.70%
EUR-0.52%-0.33%0.00%-0.32%-0.49%-0.42%0.18%
GBP-0.18%0.33%2.17%0.02%-0.17%-0.09%0.52%
JPY-0.61%0.00%-2.17%-0.43%-0.54%-0.49%0.11%
CAD-0.18%0.32%-0.02%0.43%-0.08%-0.07%0.51%
AUD0.01%0.49%0.17%0.54%0.08%0.15%0.68%
NZD-0.14%0.42%0.09%0.49%0.07%-0.15%0.57%
CHF-0.70%-0.18%-0.52%-0.11%-0.51%-0.68%-0.57%

The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote).

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GBP steadies above 1.3450 following UK Retail Sales data

  • GBP/USD remains flat after UK Retail Sales rebounded 0.7% MoM in March, against a 0.1% growth expected.
  • US Dollar gains on safe-haven demand amid persistent uncertainty over the US–Iran conflict.
  • Lebanon seeks one-month ceasefire extension, though Israel’s ambassador says outcome “not 100%” certain.

GBP/USD steadies after three days of losses, trading around 1.3470 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair stays calm following the release of United Kingdom (UK) Retail Sales data, which rebounded 0.7% month-over-month (MoM) in March after declining by a revised 0.6% in February. The market forecast was for a 0.1% growth in the reported month.

The annual UK Retail Sales rose 1.7% in March, slightly below the prior 1.8% (revised from 2.5%) but above expectations of 1.3%. Core Retail Sales, excluding auto fuel, increased 0.2% MoM, reversing a revised 0.6% decline (from -0.4%). On an annual basis, core Retail Sales grew 1.7% in March, down from February’s 2.7% (revised from 3.4%).

The GBP/USD pair may further depreciate as the US Dollar (USD) receives support from safe-haven demand amid persistent uncertainty surrounding the United States (US)–Iran conflict. The Guardian reported on Thursday that Lebanon will push for a one-month extension of the current ceasefire with Israel during a second round of direct talks in Washington. Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Danny Danon, said in a CNN News interview on Friday that the Lebanon ceasefire extension is “not 100%”.

The US military intercepted two Iranian oil supertankers attempting to evade its blockade, as Washington presses ahead with efforts to curb Iran’s shipping. Meanwhile, Tehran continues to threaten vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. US military officials are also preparing contingency plans to target Iran’s capabilities in the Strait should the current ceasefire collapse.

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Offshore Yuan Set for Weekly Decline

The offshore yuan weakened past 6.83 per dollar on Friday, heading for its first weekly decline in three weeks, as the greenback continued to strengthen amid little sign of easing in Middle East tensions. President Trump ordered a “shoot and kill” against Iranian boats allegedly laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, injecting fresh volatility into energy markets.

Surging crude costs are already feeding through supply chains, prompting some Chinese exporters to raise prices to offset higher fuel and raw material expenses. In March, several consumer goods categories recorded notable annual costs increases, reversing a prolonged period of relative price stability. Despite these headwinds, analysts remain cautiously optimistic about the yuan’s broader trajectory, noting that China’s substantial domestic energy reserves, along with signs of a steady economic recovery, could help anchor the currency and limit sustained depreciation pressure.

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NZD/USD bears flirt with 200-day SMA, just below mid-0.5800s

  • NZD/USD attracts sellers for the second straight day as Iran tensions continue to underpin the USD.
  • Elevated Oil prices revive Inflation fears, tempering dovish Fed bets and further benefiting the buck.
  • Expectations that the RBNZ may consider tightening policy could limit losses for the NZD and the pair.

The NZD/USD pair is seen extending this week’s retracement slide from the 0.5925-0.5930 horizontal barrier and drifting lower for the second straight day on Friday. Spot prices slide back to the 0.5840 region during the Asian session and seem vulnerable near a technically significant 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) amid a bullish US Dollar (USD).

The USD Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback against a basket of currencies, retains its positive bias for the fourth straight day on the back of intensifying US-Iran tensions. Moreover, the lack of progress in peace talks, due to a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, keeps investors on edge and further benefits the USD’s safe-haven status. This, in turn, is seen as a key factor exerting some downward pressure on the NZD/USD pair.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the US Navy blockade of Iranian ports will continue, while Iran has set the complete removal of the blockade as a strict precondition for resuming negotiations. Furthermore, Trump ordered the US Navy to shoot and kill any boat laying mines in the critical shipping channel. This keeps geopolitical risks in play and dampens hopes for a durable de-escalation, underpinning the USD.

Meanwhile, continued disruptions to energy supplies remain supportive of elevated Crude Oil prices and fuel inflationary fears, tempering hopes for a dovish US Federal Reserve (Fed). Traders now see the possibility of only one 25-basis-point (bps) rate cut by the Fed in 2026. This backs the case for a further appreciating move for the USD and suggests that the path of least resistance for the NZD/USD pair is to the downside.

However, persistent sticky inflation has spurred bets that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) may maintain a cautious policy stance or consider tightening to bring inflation back to the 2% midpoint. In fact, data earlier this week showed that New Zealand’s annual inflation held at 3.1% in the March 2026 quarter, slightly above the central bank’s 1–3% target range. This could limit losses for the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and the NZD/USD pair.

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USD/CHF rises toward 0.7900 as renewed risk aversion lifts US Dollar

  • USD/CHF appreciates as the US Dollar gains on safe-haven demand amid persistent US–Iran conflict uncertainty.
  • Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon said the Lebanon ceasefire extension is “not 100%.”
  • Markets expect SNB intervention to curb rapid, excessive CHF appreciation.

USD/CHF extends its winning streak for the fourth successive day, trading around 0.7870 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair gains ground as the US Dollar (USD) receives support from safe-haven demand amid persistent uncertainty surrounding the United States (US)–Iran conflict.

The Guardian reported on Thursday that Lebanon will push for a one-month extension of the current ceasefire with Israel during a second round of direct talks in Washington. Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Danny Danon, said in a CNN News interview on Friday that the Lebanon ceasefire extension is “not 100%”.

The US military intercepted two Iranian oil supertankers attempting to evade its blockade, as Washington presses ahead with efforts to curb Iran’s shipping, while Tehran continues to threaten vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. US military officials are also preparing contingency plans to target Iran’s capabilities in the Strait should the current ceasefire collapse.

On the US data front. Weekly Initial Jobless Claims rose to 215K from 212K, indicating continued strength in the labor market. Meanwhile, S&P Global PMIs surprised to the upside, with Manufacturing at 54.0 and Services at 51.3, pointing to sustained expansion in business activity.

Earlier this week, Swiss data showed the Trade Surplus narrowed to CHF 2.7 billion in March, down from a downwardly revised six-month high of CHF 4.4 billion in February. Imports jumped 10.1% MoM to a four-month high of CHF 19.6 billion, while exports increased modestly by 1% to CHF 22.4 billion.

The upside of the USD/CHF pair could be restrained as the Swiss Franc (CHF) may find support from safe-haven inflows. Additionally, the CHF may also gain ground as rising concerns over a prolonged energy-driven inflation shock reinforce expectations of a more hawkish Swiss National Bank (SNB). Market participants expect the SNB to intervene in FX markets to curb a rapid and excessive appreciation of the CHF.

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JPY hangs near two-week low vs USD as Japan’s National CPI fails to impress bulls

  • USD/JPY trades with a positive bias for the fifth straight day and flirts with a nearly two-week top.
  • Economic concerns due to the Hormuz standoff and delayed BoJ rate hike bets undermine the JPY.
  • Less dovish Fed expectations support the USD and the pair, though intervention fears cap the upside.

The USD/JPY pair sticks to its positive bias for the fifth straight day and trades around the 159.80 area, or a nearly two-week top during the Asian session on Friday. Spot prices remain on track to register strong weekly gains, though the mixed fundamental backdrop makes it prudent to wait for a breakout through over a one-month-old range before positioning for a firm near-term direction.

The Japanese Yen (JPY) continues with its relative underperformance amid economic concerns stemming from intensifying tensions in the Middle East, which, along with a bullish US Dollar (USD), acts as a tailwind for the USD/JPY pair. Investors remain skeptical about a durable agreement between the US and Iran amid the lack of progress in peace talks due to the American blockade of Iranian ports. Iran has set the complete removal of the US naval blockade as a strict precondition for resuming negotiations.

Meanwhile, Iran attacked three ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday and seized two of them. This adds to worries that Japan’s economy will come under substantial strains due to continued disruptions to energy supplies through the strategic waterway. Adding to this, expectations that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) will hold interest rates steady at its upcoming April meeting, bolstered by the latest inflation figures, turn out to be another factor undermining the JPY and supporting the USD/JPY pair.

A government report showed that Japan’s headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) recovered from its lowest level in nearly four years and rose to the 1.5% YoY rate in March. Moreover, the core gauge, which excludes volatile fresh food costs, climbed 1.8% from 1.6% in February, though it remained below the BoJ’s 2% annual target. That said, the Core CPI that excludes both fresh food and fuel costs rose 2.4%, suggesting that price pressures remain sticky and backing the case for an imminent BoJ rate hike.

The data, however, does little to provide any respite to the JPY bulls. The US Dollar (USD), on the other hand, preserves its gains registered over the past three days amid persistent geopolitical uncertainties and fading dovish US Federal Reserve (Fed) bets. This further contributes to a positive tone surrounding the USD/JPY pair. However, speculations that Japanese authorities will step in to stem further weakness in the domestic currency help limit deeper JPY losses and cap gains for the currency pair.

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CAD steadies as US Dollar firms on safe-haven demand

  • USD/CAD holds ground as the US Dollar remains firm on safe-haven demand amid persistent US–Iran conflict uncertainty.
  • US intercepted two Iranian supertankers evading its blockade, as Tehran threatens vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Higher energy prices raise the likelihood of a more hawkish Bank of Canada stance.

USD/CAD remains flat following a three-day winning streak, trading around 1.3700 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair steadies as the US Dollar (USD) maintains its position as safe-haven demand increases amid persistent uncertainty surrounding the United States (US)–Iran conflict.

Bloomberg reported on Thursday that the US military intercepted two Iranian oil supertankers attempting to evade its blockade, as Washington presses ahead with efforts to curb Iran’s shipping while Tehran continues to threaten vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. US military officials are also preparing contingency plans to target Iran’s capabilities in the Strait should the current ceasefire collapse.

US President Donald Trump warned that if Iran does not move its oil, its infrastructure would be targeted. Iranian officials, however, denied agreeing to any extension of the truce and accused Washington of breaching it by maintaining a naval blockade on Iranian trade.

The Greenback also found additional support from resilient US economic data. Weekly Initial Jobless Claims rose to 215K from 212K, indicating continued strength in the labor market. Meanwhile, S&P Global PMIs surprised to the upside, with Manufacturing at 54.0 and Services at 51.3, pointing to sustained expansion in business activity.

The latest data showed that higher energy prices lifted Canada’s annual consumer inflation by 0.6% to 2.4% in April, in line with Bank of Canada (BoC) warnings that rising energy costs are feeding into inflation expectations.

Elevated energy prices have increased the likelihood of a more hawkish response from the Bank of Canada. Oil and refined product prices moved sharply higher as commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz came under attack from both the US and Iran, reinforcing the risk of prolonged disruptions to tanker flows from the region.

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EUR/JPY – Holds above 186.50 to test nine-day EMA barrier

  • EUR/JPY may rise toward the all-time high of 187.95.
  • The 14-day Relative Strength Index near 58 indicates positive momentum without overbought conditions.
  • The primary support lies at the 50-day EMA at 184.86.

EUR/JPY inches higher after three days of gains, trading around 186.60 during Asian hours on Friday. The technical analysis of the daily chart indicates the currency cross is positioned slightly below the ascending channel, signaling potential for a bearish reversal.

However, the EUR/JPY cross holds a constructive bullish bias as it remains above the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) while facing immediate friction at the nine-day EMA.

Additionally, the 14-day Relative Strength Index sits around 58, comfortably above the midline yet below overbought territory, which suggests positive but not overstretched momentum that could favor further upside as long as the EUR/JPY cross holds over the underlying average.

The EUR/JPY cross is testing the immediate barrier at the nine-day EMA of 186.69. A rebound back to the ascending channel would reinforce the bullish bias and support the EUR/JPY cross to test the all-time high of 187.95, which was recorded on April 17. Further advances above this level would support the currency cross to explore the region around the upper boundary of the channel, around 189.40.

On the downside, further declines would put downward pressure on the EUR/JPY cross to navigate the region around the 50-day EMA at 184.86.

EUR/JPY: Daily Chart

Euro Price Today

The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies today. Euro was the strongest against the New Zealand Dollar.

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD0.09%0.10%0.05%0.10%0.17%0.21%0.12%
EUR-0.09%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.08%0.12%0.04%
GBP-0.10%-0.01%-2.13%0.02%0.08%0.12%0.02%
JPY-0.05%0.00%2.13%0.03%0.10%0.14%0.03%
CAD-0.10%0.00%-0.02%-0.03%0.06%0.10%0.02%
AUD-0.17%-0.08%-0.08%-0.10%-0.06%0.04%-0.07%
NZD-0.21%-0.12%-0.12%-0.14%-0.10%-0.04%-0.09%
CHF-0.12%-0.04%-0.02%-0.03%-0.02%0.07%0.09%

The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote).