Euro Weakens as Rate-Hike Expectations Ease
The euro weakened toward $1.14, touching its lowest level since July 29, as falling oil prices prompted traders to scale back expectations for further ECB rate hikes, while the US dollar remained supported by expectations of additional Federal Reserve tightening. Brent crude fell for a sixth consecutive session amid signs of progress in US-Iran talks and continued efforts to restore operations at a key Saudi Arabian pipeline.ECB official Joachim Nagel said oil prices were becoming an increasingly important factor for policymakers and left the door open to further hikes, citing still-high core inflation but saying he saw no significant second-round effects so far. ECB Chief Economist Philip Lane, however, warned that another surge in energy prices could keep eurozone inflation elevated for longer than previously expected. Meanwhile, stronger-than-expected flash PMI data showed eurozone private-sector activity expanding in September at its fastest pace in almost three-and-a-half years.
Story updates
14, touching its lowest level since July 29, as falling oil prices prompted traders to scale back expectations for further ECB rate hikes, while the US dollar remained supported by expectations of additional Federal Reserve tightening. ECB official Joachim Nagel said oil prices were becoming an increasingly important factor for policymakers and left the door open to further hikes, citing still-high core inflation but saying he saw no significant second-round effects so far. ECB Chief Economist Philip Lane, however, warned that another surge in energy prices could keep eurozone inflation elevated for longer than previously expected.
Meanwhile, stronger-than-expected flash PMI data showed eurozone private-sector activity expanding in September at its fastest pace in almost three-and-a-half years.