|

The Dollar has reached range limits

The US dollar continues to strengthen. Since the beginning of the week, the Dollar Index has gained just over 1.5%. However, the momentum behind this move deserves attention. From the lows at the end of September, the Dollar Index has risen almost 7%, taking it straight from the bottom of the trading range of the last two years to the top. Now, all eyes are on whether the bullish move will continue at the key resistance level of the last two years. The next move will be decisive.

The main driver of the dollar rally has been the dramatic change in the US political landscape, first anticipated and then confirmed in early November. Expectations of higher tariffs on US imports are strengthening the dollar, as is speculation about tax cuts and deregulation. At the same time, the latter is supporting equity indices, although they are finding it increasingly difficult to rise in an environment of a strengthening local currency.

The British Pound fell below 1.2700, hitting lows not seen since early August. In the process, it fell below its 200-day moving average. More importantly, it fell below the 50- and 200-week moving averages. Over the past 10 years, there have been six dips below this curve with an average momentum decline of 14%. On the technical side, the path to 1.2000 is now open despite the accumulated oversold condition. Whether the Pound will go all the way depends on the balance of power in the UK and US economies and the actions of the central banks.

In the short term, there is little hope for the Pound against a backdrop of rising unemployment and slowing wage growth. In both cases, we are talking about normalisation, not collapse. It will, however, allow the Bank of England to accelerate interest rate cuts.

The single currency has been actively sold off since the US election, as expectations of new tariff wars coincided with the collapse of the German coalition and floods in Spain, not to mention ongoing concerns about the region's industrial sector. As a result, EURUSD fell below 1.0550. This is the lower boundary of the trading range since the beginning of the year.
Historically, the 1.05 area has been a turning point for EURUSD. A failure below this level paved the way for a rapid decline below parity. In 2022, the decline stopped at 0.95. In 2000, the collapse of the then-new single currency was halted by ECB intervention on dips below 0.85.

Author

Alexander Kuptsikevich

Alexander Kuptsikevich, a senior market analyst at FxPro, has been with the company since its foundation. From time to time, he gives commentaries on radio and television. He publishes in major economic and socio-political media.

More from Alexander Kuptsikevich
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD remains depressed 0.7000, awaits FOMC Minutes

AUD/USD struggles to capitalize on its recent recovery move and trades with a negative bias below 0.7000 in Wednesday's Asian session. Amid geopolitical uncertainty, the US Dollar attracts some dip-buyers after a fresh leg up in US bond yields, keeping the pair under pressure despite hawkish RBA expectations. All eyes now remain on the FOMC Minutes.

USD/JPY holds firm near 158.50 ahead of Fed Minutes

USD/JPY hangs close to a one-and-a-half-week high near 158.50 in the Asian session on Wednesday, with bulls now awaiting a move beyond the 200-day SMA hurdle before positioning for further gains ahead of the FOMC Minutes. Meanwhile, a fresh leg up in US bond yields revives US Dollar demand amid geopolitical uncertainties, boosting the pair amid dovish BoJ commentary.

Gold falls as US Dollar, Treasury yields rebound ahead of Fed Minutes

Gold falls nearly 1.20% as the US Dollar and US Treasury yields resume their advance. Traders await the FOMC Minutes for fresh clues on the likelihood of another rate hike before year-end.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP fall liquidating $550M

Bitcoin’s correction follows a recent rejection due to supply around $87,200. Altcoins are generally in a correction trend, as Ethereum edges lower toward the next key support at $2,600 and Ripple extends its down leg near the $1.45 demand area.

Risk sentiment sours, as UK employment picture darkens

Risk sentiment is deteriorating further as we move through Wednesday. The price of Brent crude oil is now above $102 per barrel, the sell off in European stock indices is deepening, and the gold price is lower by more than 1%.

Eurozone inflation just hit 3.8%, its highest in three years. This chart shows why the ECB can’t simply hike its way out

The ECB would normally have a relatively straightforward answer to inflation running almost twice its target: raise interest rates. But these are not normal circumstances. This time, the bond market is already doing part of the tightening for it, leaving the ECB facing an increasingly difficult dilemma.