The Euro made a new record high today despite larger than expected drops in German business confidence and import prices. Economic data out of Europe continues to get worse and if the Euro does not stop rising, the European Central Bank will be forced to verbally intervene in the currency.
Don?t forget that the Euro topped out in late 2004 after Trichet called the moves brutal and he may have to do so again as German business fell to a 19 month low in September. This is a result of deteriorating credit conditions, a strengthening currency and tight monetary policy. As an export dependent nation, the Eurozone has a lot to lose if the Euro continues to rise. The only major benefit of a strengthening currency is lower inflationary pressures. We are already seeing the initial impact with import prices falling for the first time in nearly 2.5 years. Less inflationary pressure means less pressure on the ECB to raise interest rates. If we see a material slowdown in economic data, softer inflation may actually give the central bank the flexibility it needs to begin talking about lowering interest rates. This of course is a few months off at the earliest, but it is a factor that is certainly worth watching. There is not much on the Eurozone calendar tomorrow, but Switzerland has leading indicators due for release, which is expected to be weaker.
Written by Kathy Lien, Chief Currency Strategist for DailyFX.com