EUR/USD remains on the defensive, bounces off lows near 1.0960

• EUR/USD challenges weekly lows near 1.0960.
• The dollar remains bid on geopolitics, inflation.
• EMU Flash Consumer Confidence next on tap in the docket.

The selling pressure keeps hurting the single currency and drags EUR/USD to the area of weekly lows around 1.0960.

EUR/USD weaker on USD-buying

EUR/USD came under renewed and strong downside pressure following the intense improvement in the sentiment around the dollar, which was exacerbated in response to persevering geopolitical unease along with the resurgence of inflation jitters.

In addition, investors' hunt for safety collaborated with the demand for bonds and forced yields on both sides of the Atlantic to shed part of the recent gains.

In the domestic calendar, the European Commission will publish the flash gauge of the Consumer Confidence in the region for the current month. Across the pond, New Home Sales contracted 2.0% MoM in February, or 0.772M units.

What to look for around EUR

EUR/USD comes under pressure and breaches the key support at the 1.1000 yardstick midweek. So far, pockets of strength in the single currency should appear reinforced by the speculation of the start of the hiking cycle by the ECB at some point by year end, while higher German yields, elevated inflation, the decent pace of the economic recovery and auspicious results from key fundamentals in the region are also supportive of a firmer euro for the time being.

Key events in the euro area this week: EC Flash Consumer Confidence (Wednesday) – Germany, EMU Flash PMIs (Thursday) – Germany IFO Business Climate (Friday).

Eminent issues on the back boiler: Asymmetric economic recovery post-pandemic in the euro area. Speculation of ECB tightening/tapering later in the year. Presidential elections in France in April. Impact of the geopolitical conflict in Ukraine.

EUR/USD levels to watch

So far, spot is retreating 0.47% at 1.0975 and faces the next up barrier at 1.1137 (weekly high March 17) followed by 1.1229 (55-day SMA) and finally 1.1277 (100-day SMA). On the other hand, a drop below 1.0960 (low March 22) would target 1.0900 (weekly low March 14) en route to 1.0805 (2022 low March 7).