|

US Dollar Index pushes higher, in weekly highs above 97.70

  • DXY picks extra pace and advances beyond 97.70.
  • Yields of the US 10-year note drop to the 1.75% area.
  • Final October U-Mich print next of relevance.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback vs. a bundle of its main competitors, keeps the firm tone at the end of the week and is now printing weekly highs beyond 97.70.

US Dollar Index up on EUR, GBP selling

It seems the index is finally on its way to close the first week with gains after three consecutive pullbacks, shedding around 2.5% since YTD peaks recorded on October 1st to last week’s lows in the boundaries of 97.00 the figure.

The recovery in the buck came in tandem with the worsening political conditions in the UK and the Brexit process, particularly following last Saturday’s parliamentary vote. The weakness around the shared currency follows the lack of sustainability of the recent rally on poor domestic fundamentals coupled with the looser stance from the ECB.

In the US data space, the final gauge of the Consumer Sentiment for the current month is due later ahead of next week’s FOMC meeting and Non-farm Payrolls.

What to look for around USD

The index managed to regain fresh buying impetus and clinch tops near 97.80 this week, leaving behind the key 200-day SMA in the 97.40 region. In the meantime, rising scepticism on the US-China trade front and worsening conditions in the Brexit process as well as the looser ECB stance are expected to keep propping up the positive mood around the buck for the time being. On another direction, investors have almost fully priced in another insurance cut by the Fed at next week’s meeting amidst some loss of momentum in the US economy. On the broader view, the constructive outlook in DXY looks a bit damaged but it still is in play amidst a divided FOMC vs. a broad-based dovish stance from the rest of the G-10 central banks. In addition, the positive view on USD remains well sustained by its safe haven appeal and the status of ‘global reserve currency’.

US Dollar Index relevant levels

At the moment, the pair is gaining 0.05% at 97.72 and a breakout of 97.78 (high Oct.24) would open the door to 97.87 (61.8% Fibo of the 2017-2018 drop) and finally 99.25 (high Oct.9). On the flip side, the next support lines up at 97.14 (monthly low Oct.18) seconded by 97.03 (monthly low Aug.9) and then 96.67 (low Jul.18).

Author

Pablo Piovano

Born and bred in Argentina, Pablo has been carrying on with his passion for FX markets and trading since his first college years.

More from Pablo Piovano
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD stays below 1.1850 after dismal German sentiment data

EUR/USD stays in negative territory below 1.1850 in the second half of the day on Tuesday. Renewed US Dollar strength, combined with a softer risk tone keep the pair undermined alongside downbeat German ZEW sentiment readings for February. 

GBP/USD falls toward 1.3550, pressured by weak UK jobs report

GBP/USD remains under bearish pressure and extends its decline below 1.3600 on Tuesday. The United Kingdom employment data suggested worsening labor market conditions, bolstering bets for a BoE interest rate cut next month and making it difficult for Pound Sterling to stay resilient against its peers.

Gold recovers modestly, stays deep in red below $4,950

Gold (XAU/USD) stages a rebound but remains deep in negative territory below $4,950 after touching its weakest level in over a week near $4,850 earlier in the day. Renewed US Dollar strength makes it difficult for XAU/USD to gather recovery momentum despite the risk-averse market atmosphere.

Canada CPI expected to show sticky inflation in January, still above BoC’s target

Economists see the headline CPI rising by 2.4% in a year to January, still above the BoC’s target and matching December’s increase. On a monthly basis, prices are expected to rise by 0.1%.

UK jobs market weakens, bolstering rate cut hopes

In the UK, the latest jobs report made for difficult reading. Nonetheless, this represents yet another reminder for the Bank of England that they need to act swiftly given the collapse in inflation expected over the coming months. 

Stellar mixed sentiment caps recovery

Stellar price remains under pressure, trading at $0.170 on Tuesday after failing to close above the key resistance on Sunday. The derivatives metric supports the bearish sentiment, with XLM’s short bets rising among traders and funding rates turning negative.