Euro gains sharply at the beginning of new month

Euro kicked off March on a strong note as fresh preliminary inflation data from France and Spain showed price pressures accelerated last month. Also inflation in North-Rhine Westphalia, the most densely populated part of Germany, also increased. Markets price in ECB to lift rates by another 50bps in March, while the peak rate for the deposit facility is projected to reach 4% in February of 2024, above the 3.9% seen in late February. 

On the other hand, the British pound is one of the worst performing G10 currencies today as fresh comments from BoE Governor Bailey overshadowed optimism over Britain's agreement with the EU on post-Brexit trade regarding Northern Ireland. Bailey said further rate hikes may be appropriate but nothing is decided as inflation has been slightly weaker, and activity and wages slightly stronger. It seems that his indecisiveness was perceived well by the markets.

EUR and NZD are the best performing major currencies while GBP and USD lag the most. Source: xStation5

EURGBP rose sharply at the beginning of today's session, however buyers struggle to reach major resistance at 0.8875, which is marked with previous price reactions and 23.6% Fibonacci retracement of the upward wave launched in December 2022. As long as price sits below, pullback towards  local support at 0.8815. cannot be ruled out. Source: xStation5