Euro declines to lowest since July

London - The euro fell to its lowest level in almost three months against the dollar before the European Central Bank announces its policy decision.

The single currency held a two-day decline as markets braced for the central bank to hint at further stimulus measures. ECB President Mario Draghi may talk down speculation that officials are considering tapering the institution’s €1.7trn quantitative-easing program, analysts say.

All 70 economists surveyed by Bloomberg forecast the ECB will leave the deposit rate at a record low of minus 0.4%, while a majority of respondents to a separate survey predict the ECB will wait until December to extend its asset-purchase programme.

Draghi is scheduled to speak to reporters at 14:30.

“What will be very interesting is Draghi’s press conference,” said Petr Krpata, a London-based foreign-exchange strategist at ING Groep NV. He could likely “downplay the idea of tapering and he may potentially hint at prolonging the QE programme. So that on its own will be euro negative” even though the extent of the decline could be limited, Krpata said.

The euro was little changed at $1.0973 as of 09:47, having earlier dropped to $1.0952, the lowest since July 25. The currency has weakened 2.3% this month against the dollar.

Read Fin24's top stories trending on Twitter: Fin24’s top stories