Forex Today: US Dollar recovery loses steam as focus shifts to Jackson Hole

Eren Sengezer FXStreet

Here is what you need to know on Friday, August 23:

The US Dollar (USD) Index struggles to build on the recovery gains it recorded on Thursday and retreats toward the lower limit of its weekly range. The US economic docket will feature New Home Sales data for July on Friday. More importantly, Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Jerome Powell will deliver a keynote speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium at 14:00 GMT.

US Dollar PRICE This week

The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies this week. US Dollar was the weakest against the New Zealand Dollar.

Fed&#x27;s Chair Powell speech

	USD	EUR	GBP	JPY	CAD	AUD	NZD	CHF
USD		-0.88%	-1.31%	-1.40%	-0.66%	-0.78%	-1.74%	-1.65%
EUR	0.88%		-0.51%	-0.47%	0.22%	0.00%	-1.03%	-0.80%
GBP	1.31%	0.51%		-0.13%	0.69%	0.51%	-0.46%	-0.29%
JPY	1.40%	0.47%	0.13%		0.68%	0.59%	-0.23%	-0.39%
CAD	0.66%	-0.22%	-0.69%	-0.68%		-0.14%	-1.00%	-1.02%
AUD	0.78%	-0.00%	-0.51%	-0.59%	0.14%		-0.88%	-0.81%
NZD	1.74%	1.03%	0.46%	0.23%	1.00%	0.88%		0.11%
CHF	1.65%	0.80%	0.29%	0.39%	1.02%	0.81%	-0.11%

The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote).

The USD outperformed its rivals on Thursday as the preliminary S&P Global PMI data for August showed that the economic activity in the private sector continued to expand at a healthy pace. Meanwhile, the risk-averse market atmosphere, as reflected by the sharp declines seen in Wall Street's main indexes, provided an additional boost to the currency. After rising 0.4% on Thursday and snapping a four-day losing streak, the USD Index stays on the back foot and was last seen losing 0.2% on the day at around 101.30. In the meantime, US stock index futures gain between 0.3% and 0.55%, pointing to an improving risk mood in the European session.

Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda told the Japanese parliament on Friday that there is no change in their stance about adjusting monetary easing if the economy and inflation continue to move in line with forecasts. Ueda further noted that they are not thinking about selling long-term Japanese government bonds as a tool to adjust interest rates. USD/JPY came under renewed bearish pressure following Ueda's remarks and was last seen trading at around 145.50, where it was losing 0.5% on the day. Earlier in the day, the data from Japan showed that the National Consumer Price Index rose 2.8% on a yearly basis in July, matching the flash estimate.

EUR/USD lose more than 0.3% on Thursday but managed to hold above 1.1100. The pair holds its ground early Friday and trades near 1.1120.

GBP/USD closed flat on Thursday despite the USD strength. The pair continues to stretch higher in the European morning and was last seen trading above 1.3100.

Gold extended its correction from the record-high it set earlier in the week and lost over 1% on Thursday. XAU/USD edges higher in the European morning on Friday but remains below $2,500.

Economic Indicator

Fed's Chair Powell speech

Jerome H. Powell took office as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on May 25, 2012, to fill an unexpired term. On November 2, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Powell to serve as the next Chairman of the Federal Reserve. Powell assumed office as Chair on February 5, 2018.

EUR/USD stays defensive below 1.1600 as USD rebounds

EUR/USD trades marginally lower below 1.1600 in the European session on Friday. The pair edges down as the US Dollar rebounds slightly after Thursday’s massive profit-taking pullback. Looming US-Iran uncertainty revives the haven demand for the Greenback, while the Euro takes a breather after the hawkish ECB hike-led rally.

GBP/USD keeps losses around 1.3400 after UK GDP data

GBP/USD trades on the back foot around 1.3400 in the European trading hours on Friday. The UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by 0.1% in April, keeping the offered tone intact around the British Pound amid a broad US Dollar rebound.

Gold sticks to losses amid Iran peace deal doubts and hawkish Fed bets

Gold attracts some sellers near the $4,246-$4,247 region during the Asian session, stalling the previous day's solid recovery move from its lowest level since November 2025. Mixed signals regarding a potential US-Iran peace deal revive demand for the safe-haven US Dollar.

Pi Network: Bulls attempt comeback as bearish strength fades

Pi Network (PI) is trading at around $0.120 after a modest recovery the previous day. Despite this recent rebound, traders should be cautious as a scheduled unlock of 14.8 million PI tokens on Friday could limit the token's recovery potential by increasing market supply. Meanwhile, the technical outlook is showing early signs of fading bearish momentum, suggesting a short-term bounce.

U.S. economic outlook: The Warsh era starts with a great debate

Warsh is starting his tenure at the Fed during a transition of sorts. Given the prior FOMC statement and the countless Fed speakers we’ve heard from since then, it seems Fed officials are in the midst of shifting toward a more neutral policy stance.

4.2% headline, 0.2% core: Why the Fed's next hike may be targeting the wrong problem

May's CPI put headline inflation at 4.2% on the year, up from 3.8% in April and the hottest reading since April 2023, while core prices rose just 0.2% on the month, undershooting the 0.3% consensus and halving April's pace.