Euro Suffers Biggest Fall Since October as ECB Reveals Interest Rate Policies

© AFP 2023 / JOEL SAGETPicture taken on July 26, 2012 in Paris shows an illustration made with figurines and euro coins
Picture taken on July 26, 2012 in Paris shows an illustration made with figurines and euro coins - Sputnik International
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EU currency rates continue to decline as the European Central Bank appears set to maintain low interest rates and end its stimulus measures.

In late Asian trade on Friday, the euro eased 0.2 percent to $1.1546, its lowest level since May 30, while the dollar index rose 0.3 percent to 95.111 against a basket of six major peers, its highest level since November.

This development occurred in the wake of a decision made by the ECB to keep interest rates at record lows into 2019 while simultaneously moving to end its massive bond purchase scheme which was previously implemented as part of its anti-crisis measures.

"The ECB has made it clear that it does not want quick rate hikes, although it now considers progress towards the inflation target as 'substantial'. Against the background of uncertainties in the world today – such as trade – this makes sense, as does the emphasis on data dependency," Stefan Kreuzkamp, chief investment officer at Deutsche Asset Management, told Reuters.

A US 100-dollar banknote with a portrait of Benjamin Franklin and Chinese 100-yuan banknotes with portrait of late Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong are seen in the picture illustration in Beijing, China - Sputnik International
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At the same time, the Federal Reserve declared that it would likely increase the US rates twice in 2018 and four times in 2019, according to AFP.

"The Fed, barring any unexpected financial market calamity, is primed to raise the interest rate every quarter, while the ECB will continue to sit on their hands well into 2019. These opposing views should see interest rates diverging more between the two most powerful central banks in the US's favor, which should continue to lend support to the dollar. And it should keep the Euro circling the drain well into the summer," Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA, remarked.

READ MORE: 'The Eurozone Fails': German Party Criticizes ECB's Monetary Policy

Earlier in May, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) Party’s national spokesman Jörg Meuthen claimed that the ECB’s monetary policy was becoming increasingly “politicized,” while the Eurozone itself “fails.”

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