US Dollar continues gaining ground as markets brace of US inflation data


  • US Dollar gains on Monday with the DXY above 105.50.
  • The fundamental Greenback uptrend remains intact as the US economy continues to outperform other advanced economies.
  • Key data releases this week include the US October CPI on Wednesday and Retail sales on Friday.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the USD against a basket of six currencies, is broadly gaining in Monday's session. The focus for traders is now on the US inflation data for October, which will be released later this week. A strong inflation reading could further boost the US Dollar as it would increase expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) might slow the pace of interest rate easing.

The DXY initially rose last Friday after positive UoM consumer confidence data and the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) announcement of a 25 bps rate cut. Despite concerns over easing labor market conditions, the Fed expressed optimism about economic growth. 

Daily digest market movers: US Dollar continues rising toward multi-month highs

  • The fundamental US Dollar uptrend remains intact despite Trump's victory stalling the currency.
  • The US economy is outperforming other advanced economies and is in a "sweet spot."
  • The prospect of looser fiscal policy under Trump and limited Fed easing room point to a stronger Greenback.
  • The US October CPI on Wednesday and Retail Sales on Friday, are this week's data highlights.
  • There are also plenty of Fed speakers throughout the week including Chair Powell on Thursday.
  • Growth remains solid in Q4 with the Atlanta Fed GDPNow model's estimate for Q4 GDP standing at 2.5% SAAR.
  • The New York Fed’s Nowcast model is tracking Q4 growth at 2.1% SAAR.

DXY technical outlook:  Bulls gather momentum but approach overbought conditions

The DXY index advanced above the key resistance at 105.50 on Monday, reaching levels last seen in July. This bullish move has been supported by technical indicators that remain in positive territory. 

However, the indicators are approaching overbought levels, suggesting that the index may be due for a correction in the near term. Traders should monitor the index closely to see if it can maintain its momentum or if it will pull back in the coming days.

 

Inflation FAQs

Inflation measures the rise in the price of a representative basket of goods and services. Headline inflation is usually expressed as a percentage change on a month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) basis. Core inflation excludes more volatile elements such as food and fuel which can fluctuate because of geopolitical and seasonal factors. Core inflation is the figure economists focus on and is the level targeted by central banks, which are mandated to keep inflation at a manageable level, usually around 2%.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in prices of a basket of goods and services over a period of time. It is usually expressed as a percentage change on a month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) basis. Core CPI is the figure targeted by central banks as it excludes volatile food and fuel inputs. When Core CPI rises above 2% it usually results in higher interest rates and vice versa when it falls below 2%. Since higher interest rates are positive for a currency, higher inflation usually results in a stronger currency. The opposite is true when inflation falls.

Although it may seem counter-intuitive, high inflation in a country pushes up the value of its currency and vice versa for lower inflation. This is because the central bank will normally raise interest rates to combat the higher inflation, which attract more global capital inflows from investors looking for a lucrative place to park their money.

Formerly, Gold was the asset investors turned to in times of high inflation because it preserved its value, and whilst investors will often still buy Gold for its safe-haven properties in times of extreme market turmoil, this is not the case most of the time. This is because when inflation is high, central banks will put up interest rates to combat it. Higher interest rates are negative for Gold because they increase the opportunity-cost of holding Gold vis-a-vis an interest-bearing asset or placing the money in a cash deposit account. On the flipside, lower inflation tends to be positive for Gold as it brings interest rates down, making the bright metal a more viable investment alternative.

 

Share: Feed news

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

AUD/USD flat lines around 0.6500 ahead of Australian employment details

AUD/USD flat lines around 0.6500 ahead of Australian employment details

AUD/USD oscillates around the 0.6500 mark during the Asian session on Thursday, awaiting Australian jobs data before a firm intraday direction. Trade uncertainties, rising geopolitical tensions, and the Fed's hawkish pause weigh on investors' sentiment. This, in turn, acts as a headwind for the risk-sensitive Aussie.

NZD/USD trades with mild gains above 0.6000, New Zealand economy grows faster than expected in Q1

NZD/USD trades with mild gains above 0.6000, New Zealand economy grows faster than expected in Q1

The NZD/USD pair trades with mild gains near 0.6030 during the early Asian session on Thursday. The New Zealand Dollar strengthens against the Greenback due to the stronger-than-expected New Zealand’s Gross Domestic Product report.

Gold loses the grip, breaks below $3,400

Gold loses the grip, breaks below $3,400

Gold now turns negative after breaching below the key $3,400 mark per troy ounce on Wednesday, all in response to the hawkish message from Chair Powell after the Fed’s steady hand at its gathering.

Australia unemployment rate expected to signal a broadly stable labor market

Australia unemployment rate expected to signal a broadly stable labor market

The Australian Bureau of Statistics will release the May monthly employment report at 01:30 GMT on Thursday. The country is expected to have added 25K new job positions, while the Unemployment Rate is projected to hold steady at 4.1%.

In the Eurozone, inflation is also a monetary phenomenon

In the Eurozone, inflation is also a monetary phenomenon

Monetary aggregates continue to be closely monitored by the European Central Bank (ECB), a sign that, despite the passage of time and the increasing complexity of financing circuits, quantitative theory remains relevant. 

The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD

The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD

SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures

Best Brokers of 2025