IC Markets Global – Europe Fundamental Forecast | 08 July 2026
What happened in the Asia session?
Today’s Asia trading session was dominated by a renewed flight to safety after escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with investors reacting to fresh U.S. military strikes on Iran and renewed restrictions on Iranian oil exports. These developments lifted crude oil prices sharply, strengthened the U.S. dollar, and pressured most Asian equity markets as traders priced in higher inflation risks and the possibility that central banks could maintain tighter monetary policy for longer. Market participants also remained cautious ahead of the release of the latest Federal Reserve meeting minutes later today.
What does it mean for the Europe & US sessions?
Release of the Federal Reserve’s June meeting minutes, alongside ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that continue to support the U.S. dollar and push crude oil prices higher. Traders will also monitor ECB commentary for fresh policy signals, while Treasury yields and equity markets remain sensitive to inflation expectations and interest-rate outlooks. Overall, expect elevated volatility in USD pairs, crude oil, gold, and global equity indices as markets balance central bank guidance against escalating geopolitical risks.
The Dollar Index (DXY)
Key news events today
FOMC Meeting Minutes (6:00 pm GMT)
What can we expect from DXY today?
The U.S. dollar strengthened, as investors sought safe-haven assets following renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The U.S. military’s fresh strikes on Iran and tighter restrictions on Iranian oil exports pushed crude oil prices higher, increasing concerns that elevated energy costs could keep inflation persistent. Rising inflation expectations lifted U.S. Treasury yields and reinforced market expectations that the Federal Reserve could maintain a restrictive policy stance or even consider another rate increase if inflation remains elevated.
Central Bank Notes:
- The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) left the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50%–3.75% at its June 16–17, 2026, meeting, marking another pause in the policy cycle. Under new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, policymakers signaled a more cautious and hawkish stance as inflation remains above target despite moderating energy prices.
- The Committee remains committed to achieving maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2% objective. Labor market conditions have remained relatively stable, with job gains continuing at a moderate pace and the unemployment rate projected to remain near 4.4% through 2026.
- Inflation continues to be the primary concern for policymakers. Headline inflation remains elevated, supported by earlier energy-related price pressures and persistent services inflation. The June projections showed higher inflation forecasts than previously expected, leading several officials to favor keeping policy restrictive for longer.
- Economic activity continues to expand at a moderate pace. Productivity growth, capital investment, and AI-related spending remain supportive of growth, while consumer spending and housing activity show signs of slowing compared with late 2025 and early 2026.
- The June 2026 Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) revealed a more divided Committee. Nine officials projected at least one rate hike during 2026, while others expected rates to remain unchanged or eventually decline. The median outlook shifted toward a higher-for-longer policy path compared with earlier projections.
- The Committee emphasized a data-dependent approach and noted that future decisions will depend on incoming inflation, employment, and economic growth data. Officials acknowledged that geopolitical developments and energy markets remain important upside risks to inflation.
- The FOMC continues its balance sheet normalization program, maintaining Treasury runoff caps at $5 billion per month and agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) runoff caps at $35 billion per month, while ensuring ample reserves remain in the banking system.
- The next meeting is scheduled for 28 to 29 July 2026.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bearish
Gold (XAU)
Key news events today
FOMC Meeting Minutes (6:00 pm GMT)
What can we expect from Gold today?
Gold prices are trading under pressure on Wednesday as investors weigh escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East against the prospect of tighter U.S. monetary policy. While renewed U.S.–Iran tensions initially boosted demand for safe-haven assets, the sharp rise in oil prices has strengthened the U.S. dollar and fueled concerns that higher energy costs could keep inflation elevated, increasing expectations that the Federal Reserve may maintain a hawkish stance or consider additional rate hikes.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Strong Bullish
The Euro (EUR)
Key news events today
No major news event
What can we expect from EUR today?
The euro is trading cautiously as investors continue to assess the outlook for the European Central Bank (ECB) ahead of its July policy meeting. Recent comments from ECB Governing Council member Fabio Panetta emphasized that the eurozone economy remains fragile, warning that policymakers should avoid committing to a predetermined path for interest rates because geopolitical risks, energy markets, and global economic uncertainty continue to cloud the outlook.
Central Bank Notes:
- The Governing Council is expected to maintain the three key rates unchanged at their June levels into July, with the main refinancing rate around 2.15%, the marginal lending facility at 2.40%, and the deposit facility at 2.00%. Policy remains on a meeting‑by‑meeting, data‑dependent footing.
- Real GDP growth is expected to be modest: around 0.9% for 2026, 1.3% for 2027, and 1.4% for 2028. Quarterly momentum implies roughly 0.2–0.3% q/q growth in Q2 2026, consistent with resilience seen late‑2025.
- Balance‑sheet normalization continues smoothly. APP and PEPP wind‑downs are effectively completed; the Eurosystem is allowing remaining longer‑dated holdings to run off. No material liquidity shortages are expected; the Governing Council will monitor transmission and market functioning closely.
- Upside risks: stronger‑than‑expected services inflation persistence, renewed energy or commodity price shocks, and tighter global financial conditions that transmit unevenly.
- The ECB is likely to keep policy rates on hold while emphasizing data dependence: future moves will be guided by incoming HICP prints, wage dynamics, and indicators of monetary transmission (credit, deposit flows, and market functioning).
- With rates expected to be on hold and inflation slightly above target for 2026, the EUR may trade with two‑way volatility; upside for the EUR if euro‑area data surprise to the upside or if US data weaken relative to the euro‑area, but limited unilateral appreciation given symmetric policy risks.
- Curve pricing should reflect a prolonged period of unchanged rates with modest probability of hikes if upside inflation surprises continue; front-end stays anchored, while longer‑dated yields respond to inflation‑expectation movements and global risk sentiment.
The next meeting is on 22 to 23 July 2026
Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak bearish
The Swiss Franc (CHF)
Key news events today
No major news event
What can we expect from CHF today?
The Swiss franc (CHF) is trading with a firm underlying tone, as investors continue to balance safe-haven demand against the Swiss National Bank’s (SNB) commitment to preventing excessive currency appreciation. The SNB kept its policy rate at 0.00% during its June meeting, emphasizing that inflation remains within its target range and that it stands ready to intervene in the foreign exchange market if the franc strengthens too rapidly. Recent Swiss inflation data showed consumer prices easing to around 0.5% in June, reinforcing expectations that the SNB is likely to leave interest rates unchanged through the remainder of 2026 unless inflation or global risks change materially.
Central Bank Notes:
- At its monetary policy assessment on 18 June 2026, the Swiss National Bank left the SNB policy rate unchanged at 0.00%, in line with market expectations. Policymakers maintained that the current policy setting remains appropriate given low inflation and ongoing global economic uncertainty.
- Inflation remains exceptionally subdued in Switzerland. Recent data show consumer price growth staying comfortably within the SNB’s price stability range, with headline inflation around 0.6% year-on-year in May 2026, while underlying inflation pressures remain limited despite higher global energy prices.
- The SNB continues to view medium-term inflation pressures as largely unchanged. While energy prices linked to Middle East tensions have temporarily lifted near-term inflation expectations, the stronger Swiss franc has helped offset imported inflation, supporting the central bank’s decision to maintain rates at current levels.
- External risks remain elevated. Policymakers highlighted ongoing geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainties, and slower global growth prospects, particularly in key export markets such as the Eurozone and the United States. These factors continue to warrant a cautious policy approach.
- Swiss economic activity remains resilient but modest. GDP growth is expected to remain around 1–1.5% in 2026, supported by domestic demand, although manufacturing and export-oriented sectors continue to face challenges from a strong franc and softer foreign demand.
- The SNB reiterated its readiness to act if necessary. The Governing Board emphasized that it remains willing to intervene in foreign exchange markets to counter excessive Swiss franc appreciation and stands prepared to adjust policy should inflation or economic conditions deviate materially from expectations.
The next meeting is on 24 September 2026.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bullish
The Pound (GBP)
Key news events today
No major news event
What can we expect from GBP today?
The British pound (GBP) is trading with a mildly positive tone on Wednesday, after strengthening to a three-week high against the U.S. dollar earlier this week, supported by broad U.S. dollar weakness following softer-than-expected U.S. employment data and reduced expectations of further near-term Federal Reserve tightening. Investor attention remains focused on the Bank of England after its latest Financial Stability Report, which proposed easing some post-financial crisis bank capital requirements to encourage lending while warning that rising leverage, elevated government debt, AI-related cyber risks, and financial market vulnerabilities remain key threats to stability.
Central Bank Notes:
- The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met on 17–18 June 2026 and voted 7–2 to maintain the Bank Rate at 3.75%. Two members, Megan Greene and Chief Economist Huw Pill, voted for a 25-basis-point increase to 4.00%, citing concerns about inflation expectations and the risk of persistent price pressures. The majority favored keeping policy unchanged while assessing the evolving impact of recent energy-market developments.
- Quantitative tightening (QT) continues as planned, with the Bank maintaining its balance-sheet reduction strategy through gilt runoff and sales. The MPC considers QT an important part of policy normalization while preserving sufficient liquidity in financial markets.
- Inflation remains above target despite some easing in energy prices. The Bank expects CPI inflation to remain around or above 3% during the second half of 2026, compared with the 2% target. While recent declines in oil and gas prices have reduced the near-term inflation outlook, policymakers remain concerned about potential second-round effects through wages and services inflation.
- UK economic growth remains subdued. The MPC noted signs of weakening demand, falling vacancies, and a softer labor market, although recent wage growth data came in slightly stronger than expected. The Committee expects economic activity to remain modest as higher borrowing costs and uncertainty continue to weigh on business investment and consumer spending.
- Global risks remain elevated, particularly due to developments in the Middle East and their potential effects on energy markets, trade flows, and financial conditions. Although tensions have eased somewhat following diplomatic progress, policymakers continue to monitor commodity-price volatility and its implications for UK inflation.
- Inflation risks remain tilted to the upside. The MPC highlighted concerns that higher inflation expectations, resilient wage growth, and renewed energy-price shocks could require a more restrictive policy stance. However, downside risks from weaker growth and increasing economic slack offset this influence.
- The MPC continues to emphasize a data-dependent and restrictive policy stance, with no commitment to either rate cuts or hikes in the near term. Governor Andrew Bailey stated that policymakers will remain vigilant and stand ready to respond if inflation proves more persistent than expected. The presence of two votes for a rate increase demonstrates that the Committee remains alert to upside inflation risks.
- The next meeting is on 30 July 2026.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Medium Bullish
The Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Key news events today
No major news event
What can we expect from CAD today?
The Canadian dollar is trading with mixed momentum after receiving support from stronger-than-expected Canadian trade data while facing renewed pressure from a broadly stronger U.S. dollar. Canada’s merchandise trade surplus widened to C$4.24 billion in May, the largest in four years, helped by robust exports of metals, minerals, and other commodities, reinforcing expectations that the Canadian economy is regaining momentum in the second quarter. At the same time, higher crude oil prices driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to provide underlying support for the commodity-linked loonie.
Central Bank Notes:
- At its 10 June 2026 meeting, the Governing Council maintained the overnight rate target at 2.25%, continuing the policy pause begun earlier in the year. The decision matched market expectations and reflected the Committee’s assessment that the current stance remains appropriately restrictive to secure 2% inflation over the policy horizon.
- The Bank noted persistent global headwinds: geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and renewed U.S. trade friction continue to weigh on sentiment and supply chains. These risks are asymmetric and could slow foreign demand or push commodity price volatility higher.
- Real GDP growth is estimated to have continued into Q2 at roughly a 2.0–2.3% annualized pace, broadly consistent with the Bank’s April projection of sustained momentum. Strength remained concentrated in resource shipments and exports, supported by robust global energy demand, while business investment showed only tentative improvement.
- The labour market remains tight but is showing early signs of rebalancing: employment growth continued, and the unemployment rate stayed near recent lows, but wage growth has moderated from its peak. Participation edged up modestly in some regions, consistent with slower wage pressure ahead.
- Headline CPI remained close to 2.0% year-over-year in April–May prints, within the inflation target band. Core indicators—CPI-trim, CPI-median, and a trimmed mean—tracked around 2.3–2.6%, showing modest further easing compared with earlier in the year.
- Manufacturing PMI remained in expansionary territory into May, supported by export orders and healthy energy-sector activity. Firms reported steady demand for intermediate goods, though capex intentions remain cautious.
- Credit growth continued at a moderate pace. Bank lending spreads and deposit dynamics showed limited pass-through from global tightening episodes. Mortgage rates remain somewhat elevated but stable, underpinning the observed moderation in housing activity.
- The next meeting is on 16 July 2026.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bearish
Oil
Key news events today
EIA Crude Oil Inventories (2:30 pm GMT)
What can we expect from Oil today?
Oil prices are trading higher today as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remain the dominant driver of market sentiment. Crude extended gains after the United States launched airstrikes against Iranian targets and reinstated sanctions on Iranian oil sales following attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of renewed supply disruptions through one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. At the same time, U.S. crude inventories remain at multi-year lows due to strong refinery activity and seasonal fuel demand, providing additional support to prices.
Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bearish
