EUR/USD did it best to hold above the 1.1200 figure, but failed. The pair is gradually approaching the January low of 1.1097 – break lower would open a direct way to parity. Euro zone released relatively upbeat data at the beginning of the week, but the general picture remains bearish. Watch the Services PMI indices on Wednesday. On Thursday the market will focus on the ECB policy meeting that will be followed by the Draghi’s press conference. Traders await the details of the 1-trillion-euro ECB’s QE program that begins in mid-March.
Net long USD positions have been growing since the beginning of the week. USDIndexhashitan 11-yearhighonMonday. In our view, the ECB meeting could become a good “excuse” for the market to push with a new dollar rally. US employment and wages data on Friday could render further support for the American currency.
Meanwhile, GBP/USD slipped down towards the 1.5350 mark following the last week’s push to 1.5550, The BOE meeting on Thursday will likely be a non-event. Watch UK inflationary expectations on Friday – the figures could weigh on the sterling.
AUD/USD jumped to 0.7840 as the RBA left rates unchanged at 2.25%, but we see growth limited. Markets will be waiting for a rate cut on the next meeting. The expectations will pressure the Aussie in the coming weeks. Australia is scheduled to release Q4 GDP on Wednesday (forecast: +0.7%, Q3: +0.3%). You should also watch Chinese Service sector HSBC PMI on Wednesday. Even if the data are upbeat, we recommend selling AUD/USD from 0.7900/15.