EUR: External Factors In The Driver's Seat; Sell Rallies

 

The EUR has been under pressure for most of last week, mainly in reaction to this week’s terrorist attacks in Brussels and rising Fed rate expectations.

Elsewhere, it must be noted that medium-term inflation expectations as measured by 5Y inflation swaps failed to improve over the last few weeks, irrespective of the ECB having eased monetary policy further. Even if the central bank intends to become less dependent on market driven developments, it appears that the stronger EUR has been preventing inflation expectations from rising.

However, we remain of the view that the central bank is unlikely to become more aggressive anytime soon. This is especially true as more time is needed in order to evaluate the impact of the latest policy steps on the economy.

From that angle the single currency should be driven still by external factors such as Fed rate expectations and risk sentiment. We continue to take a view that rallies should be sold.

Reason: