|

USD: Safe-haven flows support strength – OCBC

OCBC strategists note the Dollar has strengthened on safe-haven demand, positioning unwind and the divide between energy exporters and importers. They stress that the United States’ status as a net energy exporter and largest LNG exporter since early 2026 underpins USD resilience. Position-squaring from previously net short USD exposure is also cited as a key driver in current geopolitical uncertainty.

Exporter status underpins Dollar resilience

"The USD strengthened on safe-haven demand and positioning unwind, with energy volatility magnifying the exporter-importer divide."

"FX markets responded in classic risk-off fashion, favouring safe-haven currencies and differentiating sharply between energy exporters and importers – broadly to the USD’s advantage."

"The USD continues to benefit from the US’s position as a net energy exporter since 2019 and its status as the world’s largest LNG exporter since early 2026, surpassing Qatar and Australia."

"USD strength also reflects position-squaring, as markets had entered this episode with net short USD exposure and are now unwinding risk amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty."

(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor.)

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

AUD/USD sticks to positive bias above 0.7100; lacks bullish conviction

AUD/USD trades with a positive bias for the second straight day, holding above 0.7100 in the Asian session on Friday as softer US bond yields keep US Dollar bulls on the back foot. Furthermore, hawkish RBA Governor Bullock's comments boost rate hike bets and support the Aussie. However, the Fed's hawkish outlook, along with geopolitical uncertainties, limits USD losses and caps the pair.

USD/JPY approaches 158.00 as Japanese Yen resumes decline

USD/JPY is resuming its upside in the European session on Friday, refreshing two-week highs and nearing 158.00. The Japanese Yen extends losses, despite the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) expected rate hike to 1.25% and hawkish Governor Ueda's comments, as two surprise dissents against the rate hike weigh on it.

Gold keeps the bid tone in place; still below $4,400

Gold adds to the optimism seen in the second half of the week, trading with decent gains just below the $4,400 mark per troy ounce on Friday. The precious metal’s advance finds traction in declining crude oil prices and fresh selling pressure on the US Dollar.

Why altcoin season isn't coming back — and what stole its capital
If, after two years of being frozen in ice, Katara and Sokka woke you up to the crypto market, it would seem like 100 years have passed. With Bitcoin soaring to record highs just over a year ago, everyone expected a routine altcoin season, where investors take profits from the top crypto to chase higher returns in altcoins.
BoJ Recap: Not as hawkish as expected

The BoJ raised its short-term interest-rate target to 1.25% from 1.00% in a 7-2 vote, marking another step in the normalisation of monetary policy and widely matching what everyone has been expecting for weeks. Governor Kazuo Ueda said the policy phase had changed.

BoJ Recap: Not as hawkish as expected

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) raised its short-term interest-rate target to 1.25% from 1.00% in a 7-2 vote, marking another step in the normalisation of monetary policy and widely matching what everyone has been expecting for weeks.