|

USD mixed, NZD tumbles after RBNZ – Scotiabank

The US Dollar (USD) is trading mixed versus is major currency peers but gains versus the core majors overnight appear to have peaked, leaving the Dollar Index (DXY) trading down modestly on the session, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategists Shaun Osborne and Eric Theoret report.

USD trades mixed, DXY drops back from overnight peak

"The NZD is trading more than 1% lower following the RBNZ policy decision—a 25bps cut, as expected, but with dovish guidance—while Asian FX has been pulled somewhat lower by the drop in tech stocks. The core majors are little changed but the JPY is outperforming mildly. Activity appears to have picked up slightly but volatility remains very low and markets are lacking conviction ahead of Friday’s Jackson Hole event."

"The DXY remains range-bound in broader terms and we think a combination of 1) expected Fed policy easing in the months ahead, 2) weaker US growth momentum and 3) unsustainable fiscal policy all combine still to suggest limited upside potential in the dollar in the short run and the risk of more, potentially significant, losses ahead. It’s another very lean day for data in North America."

"There is a USD16bn auction of 20Y Treasurys, the Fed releases the minutes for the July FOMC, one of the two dissenters at that meeting (Waller) speaks at a Blockchain event while Bostic (non-voter) discusses the economic outlook later this afternoon."

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

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.

More from FXStreet Insights Team
Share:

Editor's Picks

GBP/USD remains slightly bid near 1.3300

GBP/USD now advances marginally and manages to dispute the 1.3300 region on Tuesday. Indeed, Cable regains some balance on the back of the lacklustre performance of the Greenback, all preceding the Fed’s meeting on Wednesday and the BoE’s gathering on Thursday.

EUR/USD recedes from tops, back below 1.1400

EUR/USD manages to set aside part of the recent weakness and clinches decent gains on Tuesday. Indeed, spot keeps the trade below the 1.1400 mark amid acceptable losses in the US Dollar, all following rising optimism of a US-Iran deal and steady caution prior to the FOMC gathering on Wednesday.

Gold defends $4,000; awaits FOMC amid fresh Iran risks

Gold is consolidating above $4,000 as traders opt to wait for the crucial FOMC decision due later this Wednesday for more cues about the Fed's future policy path. The outlook, in turn, will influence the US Dollar and provide some meaningful impetus to the non-yielding bullion. In the meantime, the risk of resumption of US-Iran hostilities continues to remain a drag on the bullion, as Oil prices find fresh demand.

Bitcoin faces muted activity as BitMEX shutdown, FOMC uncertainty weigh on sentiment

Bitcoin eased below $64,000 on Tuesday as traders navigate exchange shutdowns and heightened uncertainty ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting, according to K33. In a report on Tuesday, K33 noted that BitMEX's decision to shut down marks the end of an important chapter for the crypto derivatives market.

WTI rebounds from two-week low, well bid around mid-$81.00s amid Iran risks

West Texas Intermediate – the benchmark US Crude Oil price – gains strong positive traction during the Asian session on Wednesday, snapping a three-day losing streak to an over two-week low touched the previous day. The commodity currently trades around mid-$81.00s, up nearly 4% for the day, amid the risk of resumption of US-Iran hostilities.

US Dollar mid-year outlook: Exceptional currency, exceptional risks?
The US Dollar enters the second half of 2026 in a markedly different position from a year ago. The King currency has recovered, reflecting persistent US inflation, changing expectations for Fed policy, geopolitical tensions and renewed demand for defensive assets.