|

USD strengthens as Gold nears $4,000 – BBH

US Dollar (USD) is up against all major currencies, S&P500 futures are flat after the underlying index hit a fresh high yesterday, and gold prices continue to go parabolic inching towards $4,000 per ounce, BBH FX analysts report.

U.S. shutdown drags into seventh day

"There's no clear sign yet of a deal to the end the US government shutdown which enters its seventh day. A fresh round of votes in the Senate yesterday to reopen the government failed to get the necessary support of 60 votes. The longer the US government shutdown lasts, the greater the downside risks to the labor market as the White House raised the specter of a permanent downsizing of federal workers."

"Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid (2025 FOMC voter) delivered hawkish remarks. Schmid views “the current stance of policy as only slightly restrictive, which I think is the right place to be” given that “inflation is too high” and the cooling in the labor market is “consistent with relieving price pressure and returning inflation to 2 percent.” Fed speakers today include: Bostic (non-voter), Bowman, Miran, and Kashkari (2026 voter)."

"Fed funds futures continue to imply roughly 50bps of cuts by year-end to a target range of 3.50-3.75%, which is in line with the FOMC’s median projection. We anticipate the Fed to turn more dovish by the time of the December FOMC meeting because restrictive monetary policy can worsen the already fragile employment backdrop and upside risks to inflation are not materializing. Bottom line: USD downtrend is intact."

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:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD moves sideways below 1.1800 on Christmas Eve

EUR/USD struggles to find direction and trades in a narrow channel below 1.1800 after posting gains for two consecutive days. Bond and stock markets in the US will open at the usual time and close early on Christmas Eve, allowing the trading action to remain subdued. 

GBP/USD keeps range around 1.3500 amid quiet markets

GBP/USD keeps its range trade intact at around 1.3500 on Wednesday. The Pound Sterling holds the upper hand over the US Dollar amid pre-Christmas light trading as traders move to the sidelines heading into the holiday season. 

Gold retreats from record highs, trades below $4,500

Gold retreats after setting a new record-high above $4,520 earlier in the day and trades in a tight range below $4,500 as trading volumes thin out ahead of the Christmas break. The US Dollar selling bias remains unabated on the back of dovish Fed expectations, which continues to act as a tailwind for the bullion amid persistent geopolitical risks.

Bitcoin slips below $87,000 as ETF outflows intensify, whale participation declines

Bitcoin price continues to trade around $86,770 on Wednesday, after failing to break above the $90,000 resistance. US-listed spot ETFs record an outflow of $188.64 million on Tuesday, marking the fourth consecutive day of withdrawals.

Economic outlook 2026-2027 in advanced countries: Solidity test

After a year marked by global economic resilience and ending on a note of optimism, 2026 looks promising and could be a year of solid economic performance. In our baseline scenario, we expect most of the supportive factors at work in 2025 to continue to play a role in 2026.

Avalanche struggles near $12 as Grayscale files updated form for ETF

Avalanche trades close to $12 by press time on Wednesday, extending the nearly 2% drop from the previous day. Grayscale filed an updated form to convert its Avalanche-focused Trust into an ETF with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.