US Dollar: Higher yields support currency – MUFG

FXStreet Insights Team FXStreet

MUFG’s Derek Halpenny notes the US Dollar (USD) is strengthening as US fixed income sells off, driving global bond weakness and higher yields across the curve. A poor 5-year UST auction and strong US and global PMIs are reinforcing hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed) rhetoric. Rising Brent Oil and potential US diesel export bans add to inflation risks, supporting the Dollar and threatening carry trades in a low FX volatility environment.

Dollar benefits from yield surge

"The US dollar has advanced further with the sell-off in US fixed income leading the way for global bond markets. A number of factors came together to reinforce the recent negative sentiment. The move has the hallmarks of a pain trade and forced selling by investors at these more elevated levels and could have further to run."

"The worsening fixed income sentiment was reinforced by a poor 5-year UST bond auction yesterday. The USD 70bn worth of bonds sold at a yield of 5.033%, the highest level since June 2006. The bid-to-cover was 2.21, lower than the 6mth average of 2.33."

"Both the Manufacturing and Services PMIs for September surged which will encourage the Fed to maintain the current hawkish rhetoric. The strength wasn’t US specific either with the data stronger than expected in Europe as well. The Global Composite PMI increased to 58.4 in September, the highest level since July 2021."

"That leaves FX more vulnerable to a carry unwind given how well these trades have done in this incredible low FX vol environment. Periods of low FX volatility always end with a bang and current market conditions are certainly consistent with an increased risk of that scenario materialising. High yielders across EM would suffer most while the yen and Swiss franc would outperform."

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

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

FXStreet

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.

AUD/USD hangs near three-week low, below 0.6950 as traders await US NFP report

AUD/USD hits a three-week low during the Asian session on Friday as the RBA’s dovish shift and a rout in equity markets weigh on the risk-sensitive Aussie. However, the recent slump in US bond yields to a two-month low keeps US Dollar bulls on the back foot and limits losses for the currency pair as traders look to the US NFP report for a fresh impetus.

USD/JPY bounces off three-week low; keeps the red near 157.65 as focus remains on US NFP

USD/JPY bounces off the weekly low set during the Asian session, as bears turn cautious ahead of the US NFP report due later this Friday. The upside seems limited as the recent slump in US bond yields and hopes of Iran war de-escalation undermine the US Dollar. Moreover, a hawkish BoJ and intervention risks support the Japanese Yen, capping the pair.

Gold loses the grip; $4,000 comes next on the downside

Gold sets aside two daily advances in a row on Friday, opening the door to a potential test of the key $4,000 mark per troy ounce. The precious metal’s retracement follows a decent improvement in the sentiment surrounding the US Dollar, solid NFP data and higher US Treasury yields across the board.

Democrats win House and Senate in US midterms: Why isn’t all bad news for crypto

The biggest story this week was Tuesday’s US midterm elections, which saw Democrats win control of both the House and the Senate in a clear blue wave. This political shift in the US has triggered sharp price swings across the cryptocurrency market.

Week ahead – Inflation and geopolitics in focus as US political landscape shifts

Post-midterm election euphoria fizzles out as risk aversion prevails. US CPI, PPI and Fedspeak on the radar as Fed hike bets remain supported. Oil retreat pauses on mixed hopes about the ongoing conflicts.

US Dollar breaks below 101.50 as Democrats sweep Congress

The US Dollar (USD) comes under heavy selling pressure on Wednesday, with the US Dollar Index (DXY) falling around 0.5% to trade near 101.35 after sliding below the 101.50 level. The Greenback retreats to its lowest level in four weeks as investors reassess the political and economic outlook following the Democratic Party's sweeping victory in the United States (US) midterm elections.