The lockdown in Austria, ordered from Monday, put the euro under pressure at the end of the week. Austria was the first Western European country to impose a full coronavirus lockdown this autumn in order to combat the record level of new infections in the country, which threatens to slow down the economic recovery of the past few months. Germany, Europe’s largest economy, warned that it may also have to impose a full lockdown. The common currency fell after the announcement of the measure by one percent to 1.1251 dollars, most recently the euro was 0.7 percent in the red at 1.1288 dollars.
The euro only knew which way to go all week as investor expectations grew that interest rates would rise faster in other countries, particularly the United States. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde reiterated her cautious stance on Friday, saying the ECB should not tighten its policies as it could undermine the recovery.
Oil prices also fell. Investors worried about the renewed spike in Covid-19 cases in Europe, which could slow the economy. In addition, many investors are speculating on a possible release of US crude oil reserves to cool prices. A barrel of North Sea Brent fell 3.4 percent in price to $ 78.46. The trend-setting oil types Brent and WTI recorded a price discount for the fourth week in a row.
The Turkish lira fell again to a record low against the dollar after its heavy losses due to a key interest rate cut by the central bank. One dollar had to be paid 2.4 percent more at 11.25 lira. This means that the lira has lost a good ten percent of its value this week, more than 40 percent since the beginning of the year.