|

US Dollar pushes higher near 97.50

The US Dollar Index - which tracks the buck vs. its main competitors - keeps the upside intact today and is currently advancing to fresh highs in the mid-97.00s.

US Dollar in 3-month tops

The index met extra buying pressure on Tuesday, navigating the area of multi-month peaks around 97.50 and on its way to a potential test of July’s tops in the 97.60/65 band.

Rising speculations on the likeliness of a rate hike by the Federal Reserve at its December meeting keep sustaining the broad-based sentiment around the dollar. In fact, CME Group’s FedWatch tool now sees the probability of higher rates by year-end at above 63%.

In addition, US yields are navigating a ‘sea of green’, collaborating with the bid tone in the buck and thus limiting any attempt of recovery in the risk-associated universe.

On the data front, the Fed’s Labor Market Conditions Index has dropped to -2.2 for the month of September. Next on tap will be the speech by Minneapolis Fed N.Kashkari (2017 voter, neutral).

US Dollar relevant levels

The index is advancing 0.54% at 97.45 and a break above 97.62 (high Jul.25) would open the door to 98.59 (high Mar.3) and then 99.95 (high Jan.21). On the downside, the initial support aligns at 95.90 (200-day sma) ahead of 95.12 (support line off 2016 low) and finally 94.44 (low Sep.8).

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 defensive below 1.1900 as USD recovers

EUR/USD trades in negative territory for the third consecutive day, below 1.1900 in the European session on Thursday. A modest rebound in the US Dollar is weighing on the pair, despite an upbeat market mood. Traders keep an eye on the US weekly Initial Jobless Claims data for further trading impetus. 

GBP/USD holds above 1.3600 after UK data dump

\GBP/USD moves little while holding above 1.3600 in the European session on Thursday, following the release of the UK Q4 preliminary GDP, which showed a 0.1% growth against a 0.2% increase expected. The UK industrial sector activity deteriorated in Decembert, keeping the downward pressure intact on the Pound Sterling. 

Gold sticks to modest intraday losses as reduced March Fed rate cut bets underpin USD

Gold languishes near the lower end of its daily range heading into the European session on Thursday. The precious metal, however, lacks follow-through selling amid mixed cues and currently trades above the $5,050 level, well within striking distance of a nearly two-week low touched the previous day.

Cardano eyes short-term rebound as derivatives sentiment improves

Cardano (ADA) is trading at $0.257 at the time of writing on Thursday, after slipping more than 4% so far this week. Derivatives sentiment improves as ADA’s funding rates turn positive alongside rising long bets among traders.

The market trades the path not the past

The payroll number did not just beat. It reset the tone. 130,000 vs. 65,000 expected, with a 35,000 whisper. 79 of 80 economists leaning the wrong way. Unemployment and underemployment are edging lower. For all the statistical fog around birth-death adjustments and seasonal quirks, the core message was unmistakable. The labour market is not cracking.

Sonic Labs’ vertical integration fuels recovery in S token

Sonic, previously Fantom (FTM), is extending its recovery trade at $0.048 at the time of writing, after rebounding by over 12% the previous day. The recovery thesis’ strengths lie in the optimism surrounding Sonic Labs’ Wednesday announcement to shift to a vertically integrated model, aimed at boosting S token utility.