Forex
Dollar weakens as markets await US consumer price data
By Laura Matthews
NEW YORK (Reuters) -The dollar softened against the yen on Tuesday and was weaker against a basket of its peers in calmer trading, as markets await U.S. inflation data that could indicate the outlook for Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts.
Dollar/yen weakened after data showed U.S. producer prices increased less than expected in July as a rise in the cost of goods was tempered by cheaper services, indicating that inflation continued to moderate. Treasuries rallied, pushing yields lower after the PPI report.
The more closely watched consumer price index report on Wednesday will also help guide the Fed’s interest-rate policy.
“Today’s PPI release has definitely been taken as promising news for markets,” said Helen Given, associate director of trading at Monex USA. “Traders are treating this as sort of a prelude to tomorrow’s CPI, which markets have been bracing for as a possible volatility event after last month’s reading showed prices actually went down.”
Currency markets have been rocked by a sharp rally in the yen since July that has prompted – and been driven by – an unwinding of a popular investment strategy called the carry trade and contributed to a slide in stocks.
Yet, with the dollar down 0.35% against the yen at 146.71, markets on Tuesday appeared to be over the worst of the recent turbulence.
The yen slid to 38-year lows in July as investors piled into the carry trade, in which they borrow yen in Japan where interest rates are low, then sell it for other currencies to buy higher-yielding assets elsewhere.
A number of factors, particularly a surprise rate hike by the Bank of Japan and expectations of U.S. rate cuts due to a slowing labor market, have combined to reverse the carry trade stampede, leaving the yen up around 8% since mid-July.
Government sources told Reuters on Tuesday that Japan’s parliament plans to hold a special session on Aug. 23 to discuss the central bank’s decision last month to raise rates.
“The market wants to test what the appetite is for it to go higher. The reality is the rate spread between U.S. and Japan is still going to be very wide,” said Amo Sahota, director, Klarity FX.
“The market has been oversold very quickly, but now it’s trying to get itself back to neutral. I think it’s treading very carefully, dipping their toes back into the water again, and seeing what the current is like.”
The fell 0.5% to 102.56, with the euro up 0.61% at $1.0999.
POUND PERKS UP
Sterling rose 0.81% to $1.2869, with data earlier in the session showing the UK’s jobless rate fell to 4.2% in June from 4.4% in May, defying economists’ expectations of a slight rise. Job vacancies declined while wage growth slowed.
Low survey response rates have recently caused investors and economists to put less weight on Britain’s labor market data.
“Last weekend’s panic spiral around the potential for a hard landing looks at this point like it was quite overblown, and markets look to be moving back toward stability,” Given said. “Any downside surprise on CPI, as we got this morning on PPI, is likely to have a greater effect on USD and move the buck into further negative territory.”
UBS revised its inflation forecast for Japan, projecting higher inflation rates in the coming years due to a robust US dollar and increased energy prices.
The UBS FX team adjusted their foreign exchange outlook, now expecting the exchange rate to hit 150 by the end of 2025, up from the previous estimate of 145. This adjustment is based on the backdrop of a strong US dollar.
The revised forecast anticipates a 0.1-0.2 percentage point increase in inflation for 2025 and 2026, driven by higher energy costs and consumer price index (CPI) goods. The core-core CPI, which excludes volatile fresh food and energy prices, is projected to remain above 2% through 2025.
UBS now expects it to reach 2.0% year-over-year at the end of 2025, a slight uptick from the previous estimate of 1.9%. UBS also highlighted that food inflation, currently at 4.2% year-over-year, is expected to stay at similar levels at least through the first half of the current year. This is attributed to the yen’s depreciation and unstable supply conditions.
The research firm notes that while service inflation has been relatively low at 1.5%, particularly due to weak housing rent and public services prices, an acceleration in overall service inflation is anticipated.
However, the development of inflation in specific service components, such as housing rent and public services, which respectively account for 37% and 25% of the weight in services within the inflation calculation, remains uncertain. U
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
Bank of America (BofA) analysts highlighted a shift in market sentiment, identifying long U.S. dollar positions as the most crowded trade, and now a significant headwind for the currency. This perspective aligns with BofA’s recent reports on the U.S. dollar, emphasizing the stark contrast between current market positions and historical trends.
The analysts’ findings indicate a growing apprehension among market participants regarding global inflation, particularly with a re-acceleration anticipated by 2025. Euro Area inflation expectations are notably visible, underscoring the broader concerns about inflationary pressures.
Additionally, while emerging market (EM) investors seem to have discounted the worst-case scenarios related to tariffs, the uptick in sentiment is perceived as tentative. The cautious stance of EM investors reflects the uncertainty and challenges in the global trade environment.
BofA’s analysis suggests that the heavy positioning in favor of the U.S. dollar could be problematic. The report, dated January 14, 2025, points out that the extent of USD long positions is exceptional not only in a historical context but also when compared to the past year’s trends.
Furthermore, the discrepancy between conviction and positioning is evident, as only a fifth of respondents consider long USD their highest conviction trade. This is despite 42% of those surveyed expecting the peak of 10-year U.S. Treasury yields to exceed 5%, as revealed in a separate exhibit from the bank’s research.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
Investing.com – The US dollar edged higher Friday, but was on course for a weekly loss after core inflation eased, while sterling retreated following the release of weak retail sales data.
At 04:30 ET (09:30 GMT), the Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six other currencies, traded 0.1% higher to 108.930, but was set for a drop of about 0.5% in the week, which would snap a six-week winning streak.
Dollar set for weekly loss
The dollar has retreated this week after cooler than expected data raised the possibility of easier monetary policy this year, even after policymakers at the Federal Reserve indicated they would be cautious in its approach to cutting rates this year.
Fed Governor said on Thursday three or four rate cuts are still possible if economic data weakens further.
“The perception at the end of a busy week in macro news is that the optimism around a month-on-month slowdown in core inflation is cautious at best,” analysts at ING said, in a note.
“The inherently forward-looking markets are factoring in Trump’s inflationary policies from a starting point that is already significantly above the target. So, despite stretched positioning and short-term overvaluation, the dollar continues to dodge true catalysts for a correction.”
Sterling falls after retail sales dip
In Europe, traded 0.4% lower to 1.2197, after British fell unexpectedly in December, dropping by 0.3% in month-on-month terms in December after a downwardly revised 0.1% expansion in November, raising the risk of an economic contraction in the fourth quarter.
Data released earlier in the week showed that the British economy barely returned to growth in November.
The is expected to cut interest rates in February, with two rate cuts in 2025 largely priced into the market.
fell slightly to 1.0300, ahead of the release of the final eurozone for December.
“EUR/USD appears to have found a short-term anchor at the 1.0300 handle. That is a level that embeds a 2.5-3% risk premium (i.e. undervaluation), which we suspect will not be materially trimmed until more clarity on Trump’s protectionism policy emerges,” ING added.
Yen nears one-month high
In Asia, climbed 0.3% to 155.79, near its strongest level in nearly one month.
The yen firmed sharply this week as several Bank of Japan officials suggested that an interest rate hike was possible when the central bank meets next week.
traded 0.1% lower to 7.3289, after hitting an over one-year high this week.
China’s grew 5.4% in the fourth quarter, more than expectations of 5%, as a barrage of recent stimulus measures bore fruit.
Forex2 years agoForex Today: the dollar is gaining strength amid gloomy sentiment at the start of the Fed’s week
- Forex2 years ago
How is the Australian dollar doing today?
- Forex2 years ago
Unbiased review of Pocket Option broker
- Forex2 years ago
Dollar to pound sterling exchange rate today: Pound plummeted to its lowest since 1985
- Cryptocurrency2 years ago
What happened in the crypto market – current events today
- World2 years ago
Why are modern video games an art form?
- Commodities2 years ago
Copper continues to fall in price on expectations of lower demand in China
- Forex2 years ago
The dollar is down again against major world currencies
