Bearish outlook remains in play near 1.0550, eyes on ECB rate decision

• EUR/USD gains ground to near 1.0560 in Tuesday’s early European session. 
• The negative view of the pair prevails below the 100-day EMA with a bearish RSI indicator. 
• The first downside target to watch is 1.0480; the immediate resistance level emerges at 1.0623.

The EUR/USD pair trades in positive territory around 1.0560 during the early European session on Tuesday. However, the upside for the major pair seems limited amid the rising bets for additional reductions by the European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday. 

The ECB is widely expected to announce a 25-basis point (bps) rate cut at its December meeting on Thursday, though an unusual 50 bps reduction remains possible. Market players will monitor ECB President Christine Lagarde’s press conference after the monetary policy meeting as it might offer some hints about future policy direction and the potential timeline for additional rate cuts.

Technically, EUR/USD keeps the bearish vibe on the daily chart as the major pair remains capped below the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). Additionally, the downward momentum is supported by the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI), which is located below the midline around 45.20, indicating that the path to the least resistance level is to the upside. 

The initial support level for the major pair emerges at 1.0480, the low of December 3. Any follow-through selling below the mentioned level could expose the lower limit of the Bollinger Band at 1.0445. Extended losses could push prices lower toward 1.0332, the low of November 22. 

On the upside, the first upside barrier is seen near the upper boundary of the Bollinger Band at 1.0623. Sustained bullish momentum could see a rally to 1.0787, the 100-day EMA. Further north, the next hurdle to watch is the 1.0800 psychological level.  

EUR/USD daily chart