|

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

GBP/USD nudges higher above 1.3350 despite Middle East turmoil

The GBP/USD pair rebounds to near 1.3385 during the Asian trading hours on Thursday. However, the potential upside for the major pair might be limited amid cooler-than-expected UK inflation data and escalating tensions in the Middle East. Traders will take more cues from the UK Retail Sales report, which is due later on Friday. 


EUR/USD stabilizes near 1.1400 as markets focus on geopolitics

EUR/USD trades in a narrow channel at around 1.1400 on Wednesday. In the absence of high-impact data releases, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East caps the pair's upside. On Thursday, the European Central Bank (ECB) will announce monetary policy decisions.

Gold is at a critical juncture as Middle East conflict widens

Gold snaps a four-day recovery early Thursday as widening Mideast conflict-led rallying Oil prices spur inflation fears. The US Dollar stays defensive amid potential USD/JPY sell-off, as ‘Yenternvention’ risks loom. Gold at a crossroads, awaiting Bear Cross confirmation on the daily chart, as RSI flirts with 50.

Australia unemployment rate set to steady at 4.4% in June, signaling strong job market

Australia will publish the June monthly employment report on Thursday at 01:30 GMT, and market participants expect a modest increase in job creation in the land Down Under. The Australian Bureau of Statistics is expected to announce that the country added 15K new jobs in the month, while the Unemployment Rate is forecast at 4.4%, unchanged from May.

Senate Republicans release updated CLARITY Act with new crypto ethics restrictions
Senate Republicans released an updated version of the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act on Wednesday following briefing calls with stakeholders. The update adds a package of ethics restrictions targeting digital asset activities by public officials and their spouses. The revised legislation comes after negotiations between the White House and Republican senators Cynthia Lummis and Bernie Moreno.
US Dollar mid-year outlook: Exceptional currency, exceptional risks?
The US Dollar enters the second half of 2026 in a markedly different position from a year ago. The King currency has recovered, reflecting persistent US inflation, changing expectations for Fed policy, geopolitical tensions and renewed demand for defensive assets.