|

USD Index extends the decline and challenges 103.00

  • The index moves lower and approaches 103.00.
  • US yields maintain the march north unabated.
  • Fedspeak, housing data will take centre stage later on Tuesday.

The greenback, in terms of the USD Index (DXY), grinds lower and puts the 103.00 region to the test on turnaround Tuesday.

USD Index looks at Fedspeak, Jackson Hole

The index grinds lower and flirts with the key 200-day SMA in the 103.20/15 band amidst further improvement in the risk complex during the first half of the week.

The so far weekly corrective move in the greenback also comes amidst the continuation of the upside momentum in US yields, where the short end revisits tops around the key 5.0% threshold and the 10-year benchmark navigates levels last seen in November 2007 past 4.30%.

In the meantime, market participants maintain a cautious trade ahead of the imminent Jackson Hole Symposium and Chief Powell’s speech (Thursday and Friday), where consensus expects his message to fall in line with the latest FOMC meeting on July 26.

In the US data space, Existing Home Sales for the month of July are due seconded by the August Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index and speeches by Richmond Fed T. Barkin (2024 voter, centrist), FOMC Governor M. Bowman (permanent voter, centrist), and Chicago Fed A. Goolsbee (voter, centrist).

What to look for around USD

The index appears to have entered a corrective phase after hitting new highs around 103.70 last week.

In the meantime, support for the dollar keeps coming from the good health of the US economy, which seems to have reignited the narrative around the tighter-for-longer stance from the Federal Reserve.

Furthermore, the idea that the dollar could face headwinds in response to the data-dependent stance from the Fed against the current backdrop of persistent disinflation and cooling of the labour market appears to be losing traction as of late.

Key events in the US this week: Existing Home Sales (Tuesday) – MBA Mortgage Applications, Flash Manufacturing/Services PMIs, New Home Sales (Wednesday) – Jackson Hole Symposium, Durable Goods Orders, Chicago Fed National Activity Index, Initial Jobless Claims (Thursday) - Jackson Hole Symposium, Final Michigan Consumer Sentiment, Chief Powell (Friday).

Eminent issues on the back boiler: Persistent debate over a soft or hard landing for the US economy. Incipient speculation of rate cuts in early 2024. Geopolitical effervescence vs. Russia and China.

USD Index relevant levels

Now, the index is down 0.18% at 103.13 and faces initial support at 102.30 (55-day SMA) followed by 101.74 (monthly low August 4) and then 100.55 (weekly low July 27). On the other hand, the breakout of 103.68 (monthly high August 18) would open the door to 104.69 (monthly high May 31) and finally 105.88 (2023 high March 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

GBP/USD clings to 1.3500 amid marginal losses

GBP/USD alternates gains with losses around the 1.3500 neighbourhood on Tuesday. Indeed, Cable struggles to further extend its incipient recovery in a context of continuous instability in the Middle East and modest gains in the Greenback.

EUR/USD remains slightly offered near 1.1530

EUR/USD trades with humble losses in the 1.1540-1.1530 band following the closing bell in Euroland on Tuesday. Indeed, the pair’s tepid decline comes amid the marginal advance in the US Dollar, as traders continue to closely follow developments in the Middle East and gear up for the upcoming US CPI data.

Gold loses the grip below $4,400

Gold retreats from its earlier tops and briefly revisited the $4,350 region per troy ounce on Tuesday. The yellow metal’s modest retracement follows lacklustre gains in the US Dollar and declining US Treasury yields across the curve, all amid steady uncertainty from the geopolitical landscape.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin and Ethereum consolidate, XRP dips as optimism for a US-Iran deal fades

Bitcoin (BTC) maintains a neutral outlook on Tuesday while testing support at $64,000. Investors appear to be sitting on the fence, awaiting a catalyst for a breakout above $65,000.

The inflation narrative is still way more important than the employment story
Core bonds sold off yesterday with the belly of the curve slightly underperforming in the US while European curves showed more of a bear flattening. Daily changes on the US curve varied between +4.7 bps (2-yr) and +6.4 bps (7-yr).
9-3: Is the Federal Reserve’s vote tally Warsh's new forward guidance?
The rate did not move. Neither did the statement, and that’s the more interesting fact. Set the July 29 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement beside the one issued on June 17, and the two documents are identical apart from a single verb and a paragraph at the bottom naming three dissenters.