DXY: JOLTS, Beige Book in focus – OCBC

FXStreet Insights Team FXStreet

The US Dollar (USD) short squeeze was well underway, with AUD, NZD and THB under pressure overnight, OCBC FX strategists Frances Cheung and Christopher Wong note.

Some risks of further short squeeze exist

“ISM manufacturing slumped (47.2 vs. 47.5 expected), alongside new orders while employment subindex remains in contractionary territory. Focus shifts to JOLTS job openings and Fed’s Beige book report. July’s Beige Book showed most Districts reported employment was flat or up slightly, while a few Districts reported modest employment growth.”

“We reiterate that USD should remain sensitive to job data this week given that Fed’s focus has shifted towards supporting labour market. Good and bad data may continue to point to USD rebound while data in line with estimate may see a more muted response to USD. DXY was last at 101.61.”

“Daily momentum is mild bullish but rise in RSI moderated. We still see some risks of further short squeeze. Resistance at 101.90 (21 DMA), 102.20 (23.6% fibo retracement of 2023 high to 2024 low). Support at 100.50 levels. Week remaining brings JOLTs job openings (Wed), ADP employment, ISM services employment (Thursday), and US payrolls report on Friday.

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

FXStreet

The FXStreet Insights Team is a group of journalists that handpicks selected market observations published by renowned experts. The content includes notes by commercial as well as additional insights by internal and external analysts.

AUD/USD seems vulnerable near 0.6800, 10-month low amid bullish USD

AUD/USD languishes near a 10-month low during the Asian session on Friday, awaiting a break below 0.6800 before the next leg up amid a bullish US Dollar. Firming Fed rate-hike expectations, along with fading hopes for US-Iran diplomacy, help the USD hold gains at its highest level since April 2025. Moreover, the RBA’s dovish tilt undermines the Aussie and backs the case for further losses.

USD/JPY bulls turn cautious near 160.00 amid intervention risks

USD/JPY enters a bullish consolidation phase around its highest level since early September as bulls turn cautious amid intervention risk near 160.00. Meanwhile, the downside seems cushioned as the wide US-Japan interest rate gap keeps the Yen carry trade active. Furthermore, the possibility of a jumbo Fed rate hike and Middle East uncertainties hold the US Dollar near a 19-month top, supporting the currency pair.

Gold advances marginally; still below $3,900

Gold attempts a mild bounce and approaches the $3,900 region per troy ounce at the end of the week. The marginal recovery in the precious metal comes on the back of a vacillating mood surrounding the US Dollar along with mixed US Treasury yields following the release of US October Producer Prices.

Bitcoin just posted five straight losing weeks, and the storm may not be over yet

Bitcoin is struggling to find support, slipping below $70,000 as multiple headwinds threaten to push the Crypto King lower. The much-anticipated “Uptober” rally failed to materialize, with persistent selling pressure and widespread liquidations instead reinforcing the “Rektober” narrative.

Week ahead – Fed Minutes, inflation data and Nvidia earnings to guide investors

Fed minutes may add to hawkish tone as bets of 50-bps hike grow. Nvidia to report earnings as bar to impress high after spy scandal. Trade and geopolitics to be focal point of Trump-Xi summit.

What the US CPI headline doesn’t tell you about inflation

Brent crude has fallen about a third since mid-October on hopes the Iran war is ending, but diesel, freight and fertiliser costs haven't followed. Those costs reach US consumer prices in stages through 2027 and could keep inflation high after gasoline gets cheaper.