At the end of last week, the euro stayed almost unchanged despite the fact that the macroeconomic calendar was rich in market-driving data. The single currency was slightly volatile only in anticipation of the final data on euro area inflation, which coincided with the preliminary estimate.
The report confirmed a slowdown in consumer price growth to 1.9% from 2.0%. Although market participants were not surprised by the figure as they had already priced it in, the euro showed a slight increase. Yet, almost immediately it returned to the previous value where it remained throughout the trading day.
Euro area inflation
Notably, investors practically ignored the US retail sales report. The figure was supposed to decline by 0.5% but, on the contrary, it rose by 0.6%. So, consumer activity, which is the driver of the US economy, is constantly growing instead of decreasing as previously thought. Yet, in annual terms, retail sales dropped to 18.0% from 27.6%.
However, the indicator may be a bit inaccurate due to the low base effect. The euro continues to trade sluggishly. Today, the macroeconomic calendar is completely empty, so the market will also remain flat.
US retail sales
The EUR/USD pair ended the last trading week without significant changes. It remained at the support level of 1.1800, moving in the range of 1.1795/1.1825.
The market dynamic has slowed down after a bullish momentum. However, investors may have just started opening long positions and soon the trading activity may be high again.
The quote is currently fluctuating at 1.1795/1.1825.
This is why the optimal trading strategy is to wait for a breakout of a particular boundary of the 1.1795/1.1825 levels.
As for the complex indicator analysis, on the minute and hour charts, there is a variable buy/sell signal for the pair due to sideways movement. The daily chart signals short positions.
InstaForex Group