Euro trims earlier losses but remains under pressure near 1.0900.

Euro further extends the weekly leg lower vs. the US Dollar.Stocks in Europe intensify the weekly decline on Thursday.EUR/USD risks a potential deeper drop to 1.0900.The USD Index (DXY) shifts its attention to the 103.00 level.Chinese Caixin PMI prints showed mixed results in July.

Final Services PMIs in Germany and the euro area came in mixed.The Euro (EUR) has been steadily losing ground against the US Dollar (USD) this week, with EUR/USD approaching the key support level of 1.0900 on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Greenback has been performing well and maintaining its rally, pushing the USD Index (DXY) to flirt with fresh four-week highs around the 103.00 mark.The surge in the index is closely linked to the relentless climb in US yields, with the belly and the long end of the yield curve reaching nine-month highs of about 4.20% and 4.27%, respectively.

This week, market participants will be closely monitoring important economic data releases from both the US and Europe, which are expected to challenge the recently emphasized data-dependency approach adopted by the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank (ECB) in their interest rate decisions.In terms of domestic data, Germany’s trade surplus widened to €18.7B in June, while the final Services PMIs in Germany and the broader Eurozone came in at 52.3 and 50.9, respectively, during the previous month.

Meanwhile, in the US, usual weekly Initial Jobless Claims, the final S&P Global Services PMI, Factory Orders, and the ISM Services PMI are all slated for release later in the session.Daily digest market movers: Euro maintains the bearish mood so far.The EUR remains well under pressure near 1.0900 vs. the USD.

The USD Index advances to 4-week peak near 103.00.The BoE is expected to hike its policy rate later on Thursday.

Speculation that the Fed might have ended its hiking cycle runs high.

Market focus remains on the US labour market this week.

Technical Analysis: Euro looks initially supported near 1.0900

EUR/USD weakens further and trades near the 1.0900 region, an area also coincident with the transitory 55-day and 100-day SMAs.

The loss of the 1.0910 region, where the provisional 55-day and 100-day SMAs converge, leaves EUR/USD vulnerable to a probable drop to the July low of 1.0833 (July 6) ahead of the key 200-day SMA at 1.0737 and the May low of 1.0635 (May 31). South from here emerges the March low of 1.0516 (March 15) before the 2023 low of 1.0481 (January 6).

On the other hand, occasional bullish attempts could motivate the pair to initially dispute the weekly top at 1.1149 (July 27). Above this level, the downside pressure could mitigate somewhat and encourage the pair to test the 2023 high at 1.1275 (July 18). Once this level is cleared, there are no resistance levels of significance until the 2022 peak of 1.1495 (February 10), which is closely followed by the round level of 1.1500.

Furthermore, the constructive view of EUR/USD appears unchanged as long as the pair trades above the key 200-day SMA.

ECB FAQS

What is the ECB and how does it influence the Euro?

The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy for the region.

The ECB primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means keeping inflation at around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is by raising or lowering interest rates. Relatively high interest rates will usually result in a stronger Euro and vice versa.

The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde.