ECB in Focus Today

Traders are bracing for the headline event of the week today,with the July ECB meeting due. The market is widely expecting the bank to hikerates by at least .25% today, in line with the bank’s own guidance. However,soaring inflation and hawkish commentary from some within the ECB, is fuellinga split in expectations with some portions of the market now expecting the bankto hike by a larger .5%.

Given these hawkish expectations, the stage is set for plenty ofvolatility today. If the ECB opts for the smaller option, bulls might well be disappointed,especially given recent EUR strength, leading to a pullback in the Euro.However, if the bank opts for the larger hike, the reaction will likely be afirmer EUR although the bigger focus is going to be on the bank’s forwardguidance. If the bank is seen sounding firmly hawkish, indicating further hikesto come this year – signalling a larger hike in September perhaps, then thisshould keep EUR supported. The only risk is with regard to how cautious thebank sounds on the potential economic impact and recession risks into year-end.

Where to Trade the ECB Meeting?

EURJPY

This pair is in a very interesting position. Following the downsidebreak of the bull channel, price has since traded back up to retest the brokenchannel. Price is now sitting in the middle of the recent 140.82 – 143.80range. Today’s ECB meeting might prove the catalyst for a directional movethrough either of those limits, with a topside break targeting 149.83 and adownside break targeting 133.14.