BNP Paribas expects 2026 US GDP 2.9% and inflation 3.0%, keeping Fed rate range 3.5–3.75%

    by VT Markets
    /
    Mar 23, 2026
    BNP Paribas forecasts US GDP growth of 2.9% in 2026, up from 2.1% in 2025. Inflation is projected at 3.0% in 2026, with tariffs and higher oil prices cited as factors. The bank reports that the Federal Open Market Committee made three rate cuts in 2025, totalling -75 bps. It expects the Fed Funds target range to remain at 3.5%–3.75% throughout 2026.

    Dollar Weakness Versus Euro

    In this setting, BNP Paribas projects the US dollar will keep weakening against the euro. The article notes it was produced using an artificial intelligence tool and checked by an editor. The Federal Reserve appears firmly on hold, following the three rate cuts we saw throughout 2025. This has established the current target range of 3.5%-3.75%, where we expect it to remain for the rest of the year. This stability removes a key variable for traders and shifts the market’s focus toward underlying economic trends. February’s Consumer Price Index just came in at 3.1%, confirming that inflation is stubbornly staying above the central bank’s goal. However, with the latest jobs report showing a healthy addition of 210,000 positions, the Fed is clearly prioritizing its employment mandate. They appear willing to tolerate this higher inflation to ensure the labor market remains strong. This combination of steady rates and persistent inflation is weighing on the dollar’s real yield, making it less attractive. We have already seen the EUR/USD pair strengthen from 1.08 in January to its current level around 1.1150. This gradual appreciation is expected to be the dominant theme moving forward.

    Trading Implications For Eurusd

    For the coming weeks, positioning for a continued, steady rise in the EUR/USD seems prudent. Buying near-term call options on the euro could be an effective strategy to capture this expected upside. Because the Fed is signaling an extended pause, implied volatility may remain relatively low, making such options more affordably priced. Looking back, this market action is reminiscent of patterns we observed in the mid-2000s. During that time, even a stable Fed couldn’t prop up the dollar in the face of strong European growth and shifting capital flows. We could be seeing a similar dynamic play out now as the US economy’s outperformance relative to the rest of the world begins to narrow. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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