US: Initial Jobless Claims rose more than estimated last week

Initial Jobless Claims rose by 249K vs. the previous week.
Continuing Jobless Claims rose by nearly 1.880M.

Pablo Piovano FXStreet

US citizens that applied for unemployment insurance benefits increased by 249K in the week ending July 27 according to the US Department of Labor (DoL) on Thursday. The prints came in above initial consensus (236K) and were higher than the previous weekly gain of 235K.

Further details of the publication revealed that the advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.2% and the 4-week moving average was 238.00K, an increase of 2.5K from the previous week's unrevised average.

In addition, Continuing Claims increased by 33K to 1.877M in the week ended July 20.

Market reaction

The US Dollar Index (DXY) comes under some pressure and leaves earlier tops past 104.40 against the backdrop of the incessant move lower in US yields across the curve.

(This story was corrected on August 1 at 12:55 GMT to say that Initial Jobless Claims were higher than the previous weekly gain of 235K, not lower).

Author

Pablo Piovano

FXStreet

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

AUD/USD sits near monthly high, around 0.7035 on hawkish RBA

AUD/USD trades around 0.7030-0.7035 in the Asian session on Thursday, near its monthly top, as recent hawkish comments from RBA officials continue to underpin the Australian Dollar. The US Dollar, meanwhile, struggles to lure buyers amid further declines in US bond yields, adding support to the pair. However, Fed rate-hike bets and geopolitical uncertainty help limit losses for the safe-haven buck, warranting caution for Aussie bulls.

USD/JPY remains confined in a familiar range; holds steady above 158.00

USD/JPY extends its consolidative price action through Thursday's Asian session, trading just above 158.00 amid diverging forces. Uncertainty over the timing of the next BoJ rate hike keeps Japanese Yen bulls on the defensive. The US Dollar, meanwhile, languishes near multi-week low amid declining US bond yields. Furthermore, looming intervention risks limit JPY losses and cap the pair. Traders also seem hesitant ahead of the Fed and BoJ meetings next week.

Gold hangs near one-week low; eyes $4,100 break amid Fed hike bets

Gold attracts fresh sellers in Thursday’s Asian session, sliding closer to a one-week low touched the previous day. Firming expectations for an imminent Fed rate hike, bolstered by oil-driven inflation risks, weigh on the non-yielding bullion. Meanwhile, declining US bond yields counter geopolitical uncertainty, keeping US Dollar bulls on the defensive. This helps XAU/USD defend $4,100.

Dogecoin Labs launches, resistance looms

Dogecoin (DOGE) Labs launched Wednesday in partnership with the Dogecoin Foundation, bringing together several product teams and technologies to expand the use of the memecoin (DOGE) across payments, decentralized finance (DeFi) and consumer applications. The launch will consolidate MyDoge, DogeOS and Such App under one business, led by Jordan Jefferson, founder of MyDoge and DogeOS.

What the midterm elections mean for Treasury yields, the Dollar and Gold

Democrats are priced to take the House, so November 3 comes down to the Senate and how much Washington can borrow without the other party. Treasury yields will show the answer first, then the Dollar and Gold. On November 3, Americans vote for all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats. For bond prices, the result comes down to one thing: how much the government will borrow over the next two years.

The US Dollar fell. Gold didn't rally. That tells you everything

Gold (XAU/USD) is struggling to capitalize on a weaker US Dollar (USD), after repeatedly failing to establish itself above the $4,200 level. The precious metal remains confined to a relatively narrow trading range despite a combination of developments that would normally support higher prices.