Euro rises after upbeat data

Euro held steadily against the US dollar on Monday in calm trading, after the release of upbeat economic data.

Euro area trade balance was at a surplus of €27.5 billion during January, beating forecasts of a surplus by €22.3 billion.

The Euro area industrial output index fell 1.6% in January, worse than forecasts of a drop by 0.4%.

The markets are focused on the ongoing discussions between the White House and the US Congress over President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief plan.

As of 15:19 GMT, EUR/USD rose less than 0.1% to 1.2128, after hitting a high of 1.2147 and a low of 1.2118.