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How low can the euro go?How low can the euro go?How low can the euro go?How low can the euro go?
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            INSIGHT • 3 MAY 2022

            How low can the euro go?

            How low can the euro go?

            Marc Cogliatti, Principal, Global Capital Markets

            A month ago, I posted the question, “Is the dollar reaching an inflexion point?” and cited five factors that could result in a weaker dollar in the months ahead. Fortunately, I drew the conclusion that the dollar’s advance had further to run in the short-term, noting a risk that the conflict in Ukraine could drag on further (thus weighing on risk appetite and boosting safe haven appeal for the dollar) while sustained upward pressure on inflation could result in the market pricing in additional Fed rate hikes (thus making the dollar more attractive for investors chasing yield).

            We therefore haven’t been surprised to see that EUR/USD continues to look heavy and we find ourselves at the lowest level since January 2017. The question we’re all asking now is how much lower can the euro go? Will we see parity?

            The first point to note, is that this question suggests the move lower in EUR/USD is the result of negative influences on the euro. Whilst this is not completely untrue, the dominant influence is the strength of the dollar resulting from the two factors mentioned above. After all, if it were all about the euro, EUR/GBP would be lower (instead, its slightly higher than it was a month ago). Meanwhile, the dollar index is trading at its highest level since Q4 2002 (see chart below).

            Chart 1: US Dollar Index 2000 – 2022

            How low can the euro go?

            Source: Bloomberg

            Arguably the dominant theme driving the dollar higher is risk aversion, not only from the crisis in Ukraine and nervousness about Putin’s next move, but also China’s response to its latest COVID outbreak. The economic impact continues to be felt across the globe, but particularly in Europe and surrounding countries which are highly dependent on Russian energy. As the war over control of the Donbas region intensifies, Putin’s threat to target those who are supporting Ukraine is keeping everyone nervous.

            While risk sentiment is undoubtedly the main driver for the dollar right now, interest rate expectations are still a key consideration. Last week, a number of FOMC members sounded a hawkish tone – Daly stated that a couple of 50bps hikes are likely, Bullard wouldn’t rule out a 75bps hike and Powell reiterated that many in the FOMC are in favour of one or more 50bps hikes. The net effect was a repricing of the curve, with even more hikes priced in and as highlighted last week in our Rates Insight piece, we are now expecting 50bps in each of the next 3 meetings (beginning tomorrow) with a total of 270bps priced in for 2022.

            At this stage, given recent momentum, it’s hard to envisage a swift recovery any time soon, especially with tensions in Ukraine showing no sign of abating. However, with the euro now 17% undervalued (or the dollar being 17% overvalued) we’re fast approaching a level of deviation from fair value that is rarely sustained for long. In fact, last time the pair was +/- 20% from fair value was back in 2010 and when the market was ~22-25% overvalued for a few months before it corrected back lower (see chart below).

            Chart 2: EURUSD Purchasing Power Parity Valuation

            How low can the euro go?

            Source: Bloomberg

            With this in mind, we still see downside risk to EUR/USD in the short term, but over the medium to longer term, we see plenty of scope for a recovery and a move back towards fair value later this year. Clearly the obvious risk for now is that tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalate and other nations are brought into the fold.

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