On checking the Euro this morning during the London open I found it still trading in a reasonably tight range. If someone would have twisted my arm and asked which direction it would most likely move...I probably would have said toward the 1850 low again.
Imagine my surprise at 7 am this morning.........
Here is a possible explanation for the move. Similiar story in the Yen:
LONDON (AFX) - The euro continued to rise against the dollar after a key survey on the German business climate came in stronger than expectations, cementing market expectations that the European Central Bank will hike interest rates further on March 2
The Ifo Institute said its business climate index jumped to 103.3 in February from 101.8 in January, the highest level in over 14 years and well above the 101.7 forecast by analysts polled by AFX News
Expectations for the coming months also continue to be very positive, with the business expectations index increasing to 104.8 from 103.8 and suggesting that firms are not yet too troubled by the prospect of higher interest rates
The strong reading bodes well for the economic growth outlook in the euro zone and Germany, and makes a quarter point rate hike next week very likely, said Lorenzo Codogno at the Bank of America
"Today's reading adds upside risk to our trend-like GDP growth forecast for the current year in Germany and the euro zone, and in particular to the first quarter 2006. Moreover, it strongly argues in favour of another 25 basis point increase in ECB rates in March, which is almost a done deal in our view," he said.
I will stand aside for the moment until we get our bearings here.
Good luck everyone.