April 17 (Reuters) - EUR/USD fell on Thursday after the
European Central Bank cut interest rates, as expected, and
cautioned that U.S. tariffs may significantly impact economic
growth, increasing expectations for further policy easing.
The common currency was also hampered by a jump in oil and
higher Treasury yields after a series of comments by U.S.
President Donald Trump.
Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed some
optimism about resolving U.S.-European trade tensions though
there is no hurry to make deals.
Trump also suggested that a Ukraine minerals deal may be signed
next Thursday and that he is not in a hurry to launch an attack
on Iran over its nuclear program.
Separately, Trump said, via social media, that Federal Reserve
Chair Jerome Powell's termination "cannot come fast enough" and
that rates should have been lowered already, later criticizing
Fed policy making.
The Wall Street Journal later reported that Trump has discussed
firing Powell for months and talked about it with former Fed
Governor Kevin Warsh. Warsh has advised against trying to fire
Powell.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said he
sees no imminent need for a change in central bank interest rate
policy as Trump administration tariffs are likely to drive up
inflation, weaken growth and push up unemployment.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said trade tensions
and sweeping shifts in the global trading system will trigger
downward revisions but no global recession is expected.
EUR/USD fell to 1.1336 following the ECB's rate cut and
stayed lower throughout the session as it continues to adjust
from overbought levels. Support is forming above the April 10
high of 1.1241, with risk reversals indicating potential upside
risks beyond 1.15 barriers. A drop below the 2024 high of 1.1213
signals a deeper pullback.
Markets currently anticipate cuts at the next two ECB meetings,
which would bring the benchmark rate to 1.75%.
GBP/USD rose marginally though largely held to a narrow
range before the Easter holidays. Support is seen near 1.32 with
resistance at the year-to-date high of 1.3292. Focus will be on
UK flash PMIs and comments by Bank of England officials next
week.
USD/JPY edged up, underpinned by higher oil and firmer
yields. The pair rose briefly after Trump said that he had a
very productive meeting with Japan trade representatives on
Wednesday though a series of lower highs continues to weigh on
the pair. Nearby resistance is seen at the 144.55 April 4 low
with solid support developing just above 141.60. A
short-covering rally could ensue if oil continues to climb.
Tokyo focus will be on upcoming nationwide CPI numbers
Friday.
Treasury yields were up 1 to 6 basis points as the curve
steepened. The 2s-10s curve was up about 3 basis points to
+50.3bp.
The S&P 500 rose 0.25% in modest pre-holiday turnover.
Oil jumped 3.25% on trade deal hopes.
Gold fell 0.90% and copper dropped 1.5%.
Heading toward the close: EUR/USD -0.25%, USD/JPY +0.40%,
GBP/USD +0.22%, AUD/USD +0.28%, DXY +0.01%, EUR/JPY +0.16%,
GBP/JPY +0.58%, AUD/JPY +0.69%.(Editing by Burton Frierson
Reporting by Robert Fullem)