|

Forex Today: Dollar struggles to shake off the selling pressure, awaits mid-tier data

Here is what you need to know on Thursday, January 13:

The dollar faced heavy selling pressure in the second half of the day on Wednesday after the data published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 7% as expected. After losing more than 0.6%, the US Dollar Index is having a tough time staging a recovery and continues to edge lower below 95.00. Investors await December Producer Price Index (PPI) and the weekly Initial Jobless Claims data from the US. Additionally, the European Central Bank will release its Economic Bulletin in the European session.

US Inflation Quick Analysis: Strong figures on all fronts cement Fed action, dollar set to bounce.

Although the CPI inflation in the US reached its strongest level in nearly four decades, the greenback suffered losses against its rivals. Following FOMC Chairman Jerome Powell's cautious tone with regards to balance sheet runoff, the fact that inflation remained within expectations seems to have hurt the dollar. Meanwhile, the CME Group's FedWatch Tool shows that markets are pricing a 21.2% chance of the Fed leaving its policy rate unchanged in March, compared to 17.9% on Wednesday.

US Consumer Inflation Soars: Federal Reserve March rate hike looms.

EUR/USD rose sharply on Wednesday and broke above 1.1400. The pair was last seen trading at its highest level since mid-November at 1.1450. 

GBP/USD closed the previous two trading days in the positive territory and gained more than 100 pips in that period. The pair continues to push higher in the early European session and holds comfortably above 1.3700.

USD/JPY dropped to 114.50 area but the benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield is posting modest daily gains around 1.75% on Thursday, limiting the pair's losses for the time being.

After breaking above $1,800 earlier in the week, gold registered impressive gains on Tuesday and continues to edge higher on Wednesday. Early Thursday, XAU/USD is moving sideways above $1,820.

Bitcoin gained more than 2% for the second straight day on Wednesday but seems to have lost its bullish momentum near $44,000. Ethereum extended its rebound on Wednesday and rose 4% before turning quiet around $3,330.

Author

Eren Sengezer

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

More from Eren Sengezer
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD bounces off nearly two-month low; upside seems limited

AUD/USD rebounds from its lowest level since April 13, touched during the Asian session on Monday, as the US Dollar pauses following Friday's upbeat US NFP-led blowout rally to a two-month high. However, persistent geopolitical uncertainties, along with surging bets on Fed rate hikes, might continue to act as a tailwind for the USD. Furthermore, diminishing odds of a near-term RBA rate hike should cap gains for the Aussie.

USD/JPY bulls seem hesitant amid intervention fears

USD/JPY touches a fresh high since late April following an Asian session dip, though intervention fears limit losses for the Japanese Yen (JPY) and cap the upside. This counters Japan’s revised GDP print, which confirmed that the economy lost momentum in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Friday's upbeat US NFP report lifted bets of a Fed rate hike and favors the US Dollar bulls, backing the case for a further move higher for the currency pair.

Gold recovers slightly from the $4,300 neighborhood; not out of the woods yet

Gold attracts some buyers at the start of a new week and reverses part of Friday's decline to its lowest since March 24, around the $4,300 mark. The US Dollar pauses after Friday’s upbeat US NFP-led blowout rally to a two-month high and supports the bullion. However, a surge in bets on a Fed rate hike, along with geopolitical uncertainties, favors USD bulls. The backs the case for the emergence of fresh sellers around the precious metal at higher levels.

Week ahead: Fed countdown begins amid US inflation data and geopolitical risks
The countdown to the biggest event of the year so far, the first Fed meeting under Chair Warsh on June 17, has officially commenced. Next week’s key events could serve as the best appetizer for Warsh’s first press conference, although market participants will probably be distracted by developments elsewhere.
Week ahead – Fed countdown begins amid US inflation data and geopolitical risks

Fed Chair Warsh’s first meeting approaches as key US inflation data could reshape expectations. Oil prices remain elevated as US-Iran talks continue; tariffs also return to the spotlight. ECB is expected to hike; will it be a one-off move or is July live?

The US economy defies the rules: 100 days into the Oil shock and the recession signal is still missing

More than three months after the start of the Iran war and the resulting disruption to global energy markets, the US economy continues to display remarkable resilience. The conflict has triggered a sharp rise in Oil prices, reignited inflationary pressures and fueled widespread concerns about a potential economic slowdown.