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- EUR/USD struggles to attract follow-through buying amid mixed fundamental cues.
- Receding Fed rate hike bets keep USD bulls on the defensive and support spot prices.
- Escalating US-Iran tensions and inflation fears help limit USD losses, capping the pair.
The EUR/USD pair holds steady above the 1.1450 level during the Asian session on Thursday and consolidates its strong gains registered over the past two days, to the highest level since June 18.
The US Dollar (USD) struggles to attract any meaningful buyers and languishes near a four-week low, touched on Wednesday following the release of the US Producer Price Index (PPI). In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the PPI unexpectedly fell 0.3% in June. This comes on top of a soft US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report on Tuesday and further prompts traders to trim their bets for an immediate rate hike by the US Federal Reserve (Fed). The outlook, in turn, keeps USD bulls on the defensive, which is seen as a key factor acting as a tailwind for the EUR/USD pair.
Meanwhile, the US-Iran conflict has intensified since the beginning of this week, with US forces launching a fresh round of airstrikes targeting Iranian missile and drone infrastructure on Wednesday. Tehran, on the other hand, has responded with retaliatory drone and missile attacks on US-linked military facilities across the region. Adding to this, the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz support elevated crude oil prices. This fuels concerns about energy-driven inflation and revives hawkish Fed expectations, limiting USD losses and capping the EUR/USD pair.
Traders now look forward to the US economic docket – featuring monthly Retail Sales, the Philly Fed Manufacturing Index, and the usual Weekly Initial Jobless Claims. This, along with speeches from influential FOMC members, would drive the USD demand and provide some impetus to the EUR/USD pair. Nevertheless, the aforementioned mixed fundamental backdrop warrants some caution before placing fresh bullish bets and positioning for any further appreciating move.
