|

US Dollar: Blue wave reshapes growth and risk – Commerzbank

Commerzbank’s Volkmar Baur argues that a strong Democratic performance in US elections has triggered initial Dollar weakness versus the Euro and could dampen US Treasuries yields and equities, especially tech-heavy stocks. He highlights potential slower AI-related investment, reduced Trump pressure on the Fed, and a possible shift toward political centrism that may lower the US Dollar’s political risk premium over time.

Democratic gains weigh on Dollar

"In an initial reaction, the US dollar lost around half a percent against the euro, suggesting that markets were also caught off guard by the outcome and had not fully priced it in. Two factors are likely to reinforce this move in the short term. First, Democratic control of both the House and Senate should make further fiscal easing unlikely over the next two years."

"Second, a Democratic majority could slow the rapid pace of investment in AI infrastructure and data centers."

"US equities, and the more tech-heavy Nasdaq in particular, are likely to come under pressure today. As we have noted before, the US dollar has benefited substantially in recent months from the enthusiasm surrounding US equities and the resulting capital inflows. Dollar weakness could therefore become somewhat more entrenched over the coming hours."

"If investment begins to lose momentum, markets could start pricing in a weaker phase of US growth, which would weigh on the dollar."

"If political debate in the United States were to shift back toward a more constructive direction, admittedly a very big if, this could reduce the political risk premium embedded in the US dollar and provide the currency with structural support over the longer term."

(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor. Know more.)

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

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.

More from FXStreet Insights Team
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD flatlines near 0.6965 as less hawkish RBA counters USD weakness

AUD/USD holds steady above a two-week low, trading near 0.6965 in the Asian session on Wednesday as early midterm election results heighten political uncertainty and weigh heavily on the US Dollar. Moreover, reviving safe-haven demand triggers a fresh leg down in US bond yields, offsetting Fed hike bets and exerting additional pressure on the buck. However, a less hawkish RBA caps the Aussie.

USD/JPY declines below 158.00 as USD weakens on midterm election results

USD/JPY comes under heavy selling pressure on Wednesday, dropping below 158.00 during the Asian session as the US Dollar slumps to a one-month low amid heightened political uncertainty after early US midterm vote counts. Moreover, the prospect of gridlock in Washington drives safe-haven flows, triggering a fresh leg down in US bond yields and further weighing on the buck.

Gold surges past $4,000 as USD falls in reaction to US midterm election results

Gold catches aggressive bids on Wednesday, surging past the $4,000 psychological mark heading into the European session as the US midterm election results heighten political uncertainty and weigh heavily on the US Dollar. Moreover, softer US bond yields counter Fed hike bets and contribute to driving flows to the non-yielding bullion.

Bitcoin tests critical support, Ethereum struggles below resistance, XRP extends losses
Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) remain under pressure on Wednesday as bearish momentum continues to weigh on prices. BTC approaches key support around $76,466, and a decisive close below could open the door to deeper losses. Meanwhile, ETH struggles below key resistance while XRP faces rejection at the upper trendline of a falling channel pattern, all hinting at deeper losses.
US Dollar Index dives to late September lows near 101.25 on US election results

The US Dollar Index, which tracks the Greenback against a basket of currencies, comes under intense selling pressure during the Asian session on Wednesday, dropping to its lowest level since late September as early US midterm election results heightened political uncertainty.

The 2% inflation target came from a throwaway remark. It now moves trillions
The Federal Reserve's 2% inflation goal grew out of an off-the-cuff remark by a New Zealand politician in 1988. Bond investors still price long-term US debt as if 2% holds, so a change in how the Fed measures inflation would move markets.