LONDON, July 4 Reuters The euro flattened on Monday, staying near a fiveyear low against the U.S. dollar, as investors sought safety in the greenback amid worries about slowing global growth.

The war in Ukraine and its economic fallout, in particular soaring food and energy inflation, has been a major drag on the euro, which has weakened more than 8 against the dollar this year. The difference between the European Central Bank and the U.S. Federal Reserve response to higher inflation has also weighed on the euro. 

Data on Friday showed euro zone inflation surging to another record, adding to the case for the ECB to raise interest rates this month.

Jeremy Stretch, head of G10 FX strategy at CIBC said he expected headwinds on the euro to persist as the ECB is set to hike rates on July 21 by a mere 25 basis point.

ECB action remains moderate when compared with a 75bps Fed hike, he said. Beyond ECB monetary policy discussion, the primary European Union risk variable relates to the energy sector.

The euro was flat at 1.0423 on Monday, barely above May39;s fiveyear trough of 1.0349.

Global recession fears have kept the dollar elevated even if markets have scaled back their U.S. rate hike expectations. The market is pricing in around an 85 chance of another hike of 75 basis points this month and rates at 3.25 to 3.5 by year end before cuts in 2023.

The U.S. dollar index rose 0.1 to 105.140, not far below last month39;s twodecade high of 105.790.

Trade is likely to be…