EUR/USD refreshes annual lows as US Dollar extends rally

EUR/USD sinks to near 1.0530 as the US Dollar extends its rally as Republicans win both houses in the US.

The US inflation accelerated expectedly in October, which boosted expectations of an interest rate cut in December.

Investors await Fed Jerome Powell’s speech on Thursday for fresh interest rate guidance.

EUR/USD posts a fresh annual low near 1.0530 in European trading hours and extends its losing streak for the fifth trading day on Thursday. The major currency pair has faced an intense sell-off as the US Dollar (USD) continues to enjoy upside momentum, being one of the major beneficiaries of President-elected Donald Trump’s win in the United States (US) presidential election. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, climbs to near 106.80, the highest level seen since November 1, 2023.

It will be easy for Trump to implement the agenda of lower taxes on businesses and workers, as well as high import tariffs, as Republicans have ensured control of the Senate and the House of Representatives, according to the Associated Press. 

An increase in import tariffs would increase the demand for domestically produced goods and services, which would boost inflationary pressures that limit the potential of the Federal Reserve (Fed) to cut interest rates faster and deeper.

The Greenback rose sharply on Wednesday after the release of the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for October. The inflation report showed that price pressures grew expectedly on a monthly as well as annual basis, boosting expectations of interest rate cuts in the December meeting. According to the CME FedWatch tool, the probability of the Fed cutting interest rates by 25 basis points (bps) to 4.25%-4.50% next month increased to 83% from 59% a day before.