US: Annual PPI declines to 8.5% in September vs. 8.4% expected

Annual PPI in the US declined modestly in September.

US Dollar Index stays in positive territory above 113.00 after the data.

The Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand in the US declined to 8.5% on a yearly basis in September from 8.7% in August, the data published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed on Wednesday. This print came in slightly higher than the market expectation of 8.4%.

The annual Core PPI edged lower to 7.2% from 7.3%, compared to analysts' estimate of 7.3%. On a monthly basis, the Core PPI was up 0.3%, matching August's print. 

Market reaction

The US Dollar Index stretched higher with the initial reaction and was last seen rising 0.13% on the day at 113.43.

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US: International trade deficit narrows to $87.3 billion in August

US international trade deficit narrowed by $29 billion in August.

US Dollar Index clings to small daily gains above 114.00.

The data published by the US Census Bureau showed on Wednesday that the US international trade deficit declined by $2.9 billion to $87.3 billion in August from $90.2 billion in July. 

"Exports of goods for August were $179.8 billion, $1.7 billion less than July exports," the publication read. "Imports of goods for August were $267.1 billion, $4.6 billion less than July imports."

Moreover, the report revealed that the Wholesale Inventories rose by 1.3% in August, higher than the market expectation for an increase of 0.7%.

Market reaction

The US Dollar Index showed no immediate reaction to this report and was last seen posting small daily gains at 114.25.

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 Breaking: US annual CPI inflation declines to 8.3% in August vs. 8.1% expected

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this Tuesday that inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), decelerated to 8.3% on a yearly basis in August from 8.5% in the previous month. The reading was slightly above consensus estimates pointing to a decline to 8.1%. 

The Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose by 0.6% in August (0.3% anticipated) and climbed to 6.3% on yearly basis, up from 5.9% in July and 6.1% expected.

Follow our live coverage of the market reaction to US inflation data.

Market reaction

The US dollar catches aggressive bids in reaction to the stronger-than-expected CPI report and for now, seems to have stalled its recent sharp pullback from a two-decade high touched last week.

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US: Weekly Initial Jobless Claims decline to 243K vs. 253K expected

Initial Jobless Claims fell by 2,000 in the week ending August 20.

US Dollar Index trades flat on the day above 108.50.

There were 243,000 initial jobless claims in the week ending August 20, the weekly data published by the US Department of Labor (DOL) showed on Thursday. This print followed the previous week's print of 245,000 (revised from 252,000) and came in better than the market expectation of 253,000.

Further details of the publication revealed that the advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1% and the 4-week moving average was 247,000, an increase of 1,500 from the previous week's unrevised average.

"The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending August 13 was 1,415,000, a decrease of 19,000 from the previous week's revised level," the DOL further announced.

Market reaction

The US Dollar Index edged higher after this data and was last seen trading virtually unchanged on the day at 108.56.

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Dollar firm ahead of jobs report – BBH

Win Thin, Global Head of Currency Strategy at BBH, offers a brief overview of the US dollar price action on Friday and the closely-watched US monthly jobs data. The popularly known NFP report would play a key role in influencing the near-term USD price dynamics amid the recent hawkish remarks by several Fed officials.

Key Quotes:

“DXY has risen 3 of the past 4 days and is trading near 106 currently. We maintain our strong dollar call as Fed officials are making it clear that markets misread the Fed’s commitment to lowering inflation.  The greenback is also getting more traction as data came in stronger than expected.  Today’s jobs data will likely be key for the medium-term dollar outlook.”

“Consensus sees 250k jobs added vs. 372k in June, while the unemployment rate is expected to remain steady at 3.6% and average hourly earnings are seen falling two ticks to 4.9% y/y.  Fed Chair Powell stressed labor market strength many times in his post-decision press conference, which supports our view that the Fed is not about to pivot while the economy remains at full employment.  June consumer credit will be also reported and is expected at $27.0 bln vs. $22.347 bln in May.”

“WIRP suggests a 50 bp hike September 21 is fully priced in, with around 40% odds of a larger 75 bp move.  The swaps market is pricing in 100 bp of tightening over the next 6 months that sees the policy rate peak near 3.5%, followed by the start of an easing cycle over the subsequent 6 months.  The Fed has made it clear that this is not its expected rate path and so we look for a hawkish shift in market pricing in the coming days and weeks if the U.S. data cooperate.”

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US dollar to weaken over short-term on a 50 bps hike from the Fed – Nordea

Economists at Nordea believe the Federal Reserve will hike by 50 bps, but uncertainty is very high. If they are right, the USD could weaken in favour of other G10 currencies.

USD could strengthen on a 75 bps hike from the Fed 

“We believe the Fed will hike by 50 bps this week but we admit that the uncertainty is very high. If we are right, we will likely see the USD weaken again in favour of other G10 currencies such as EUR, NOK, SEK, DKK, etc over the short-term. 

“If we are wrong, the USD could strengthen somewhat more against the rest of G10 currencies.”

“From a technical standpoint, the USD is close to being overbought against most G10 currencies currently.”

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US Dollar Index looks cautious around 101.70 ahead of NFP

DXY trades without a clear direction near 101.70.

Activity in US yields remain muted and near Thursday’s close.

US Nonfarm Payrolls, Unemployment Rate next of note in the docket.

The greenback alternates gains with losses around the 101.70 region when measured by the US Dollar Index (DXY) on Friday.

US Dollar Index remains vigilant ahead of Payrolls

Market participants remain vigilant ahead of the publication of the key May’s Nonfarm Payrolls later on Friday, motivating the index to hover around the 101.70 zone amidst the generalized lack of direction in the global markets.

Activity in the US cash markets show the same performance so far, with yields along the curve looking consolidative in the upper end of the weekly range.

As indicated, Nonfarm Payrolls for the month of May are due later in the NA session seconded by the Unemployment Rate and the ISM Non-Manufacturing. Additionally, the final Services PMI is also due followed by the speech by FOMC’s Governor L.Brainard (permanent voter, centrist).

What to look for around USD

The dollar came under pressure in the past session and returned to the area below the 102.00 mark against a cautious backdrop ahead of the release of May’s labour market figures.

Renewed weakness in the dollar came in response to the rising perception that inflation might have peaked in April, which in turn supports the idea that the Fed may not need to be as aggressive as market participants expect when it comes to raising the Fed Funds rates.

In the meantime, the Fed’s divergence vs. most of its G10 peers coupled with bouts of geopolitical effervescence, higher US yields and a potential “hard landing” of the US economy are all factors still supportive of a stronger dollar in the next months.

Key events in the US this week: Nonfarm Payrolls, Unemployment Rate, Final Services PMI, ISM Non-Manufacturing (Friday).

Eminent issues on the back boiler: Powell’s “softish” landing… what does that mean? Escalating geopolitical effervescence vs. Russia and China. Fed’s more aggressive rate path this year and 2023. US-China trade conflict. Future of Biden’s Build Back Better plan.

US Dollar Index relevant levels

Now, the index is retreating 0.01% at 101.72 and faces the next contention at 101.36 (55-day SMA) followed by 101.29 (monthly low May 30) and then 99.81 (weekly low April 21). On the upside, a break above 102.73 (weekly/monthly high June 1) would open the door to 105.00 (2022 high May 13) and finally 105.63 (high December 11 2002).

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Dollar Gains to Two-Year High on Safe Haven Flows

The U.S. dollar posted further gains in early European trade Wednesday, trading at two-year highs on safe haven flows as traders digested slowing global growth, raised geopolitical tensions, and the prospect of more tightening by the Federal Reserve.

At 3:15 AM ET (0715 GMT), the Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six other currencies, traded 0.2% higher at 102.532, the strongest it has been since March 2020 and on course for its best month since 2015.

Russia announced plans to halt gas flows to Poland and Bulgaria from Wednesday amid a standoff over fuel payments, to the benefit of the safe haven dollar.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has decreed that payment from “unfriendly” buyers should be in rubles, helping support his country’s beleaguered currency, while the European Union has responded that would be a breach of sanctions.

This escalation of tensions has added to the reasons traders have chosen to hold the dollar, with strict COVID-19 lockdown in China likely to hit economic growth in the world’s second largest economy while the Federal Reserve is expected to hike interest rates by 50 basis points in May as it seeks to combat inflation at a four-decade high.

EUR/USD fell 0.2% to 1.0618, dropping to a five-year low, amid fears for Europe's energy security, while the weak GfK German consumer confidence index, projected to plunge to a historic low in May, also weighed.

“April has been nasty for the euro, falling over 300 points. The Ukraine war and the hawkish Fed have been a toxic mix for the euro, as investors have dumped the currency and flocked to the safe-haven U.S. dollar,” said Kenny Fisher, an analyst at brokerage OANDA.

USD/JPY rose 0.5% to 127.81, not far removed from its recent 20-year low with the Bank of Japan set to meet overnight.

This central bank has maintained a very accommodative monetary stance, in direct contrast to the hawkish Federal Reserve, but traders see the risk of policy changes to try and arrest the currency's recent weakness.

GBP/USD edged higher to 1.2577, falling to a fresh 21-month low as last week’s weak retail sales data prompted a rethink of the Bank of England’s tightening cycle.

“Tightening expectations for the 5 May BoE meeting have dropped backed to 29bp from 38bp early last week,” said analysts at ING, in a note.

USD/CNY edged lower to 6.5555, with the yuan helped by data showing Chinese industrial profit growth quickened in March, while AUD/USD rose 0.5% to 0.7159 after Australian consumer prices surged at their fastest annual pace in two decades, spurring rate hike speculation.

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Dollar riding high after index hits 100 for first time in nearly two years

The U.S. dollar index strengthened to 100 for the first time in nearly two years on Friday, supported by the prospect of a more aggressive pace of Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

The greenback has gained ground on a basket of rivals over the past month, particularly against the euro, which has been pressured by investor concerns about the economic costs of war in Ukraine and a potentially nail-biting election in France.

The dollar index rose as high as 100 in early European trading hours, its best level since May 2020. It later lost some momentum and was last broadly flat at 99.844.

The index is up 1.3% this week, which would be its biggest increase in a month, backed by hawkish remarks from several Federal Reserve policy makers who are calling for a faster pace of interest rate increases to curb rapid inflation.

This week's release of the minutes of the Fed's March meeting showed "many" participants were prepared to raise interest rates in 50-basis-point increments in coming months.

On the other side of the dollar's rally, the euro dropped to a new one-month low of $1.0848. It later recovered and was last broadly flat on the day at $1.08770.

Meeting minutes from the European Central Bank published on Thursday suggested its policy makers are keen to act to combat inflation, but the eurozone has so far taken a more cautious tack than other central banks, weakening the euro.

A tightening election race in France between president Emmanuel Macron and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen has added to pressure on the euro, raising investor concerns about the future direction of the euro zone's second-biggest economy, though Macron is still ahead in polls.

"The upcoming French presidential election, with the first round on Sunday, is also adding to current negative EUR sentiment," currency analysts at MUFG said in a note.

The dollar extended its gains against the Japanese yen, hitting 124.23, its highest in over a week and approaching last month's near seven-year high of 125.1.

The yen has steadied this month after tumbling in March, but remains under pressure as the U.S. raises interest rates and the Bank of Japan intervenes in the bond market to keep rates low.

Sterling lost ground versus the dollar, and was last down a quarter of a percent at $1.30400.

In cryptocurrency markets, bitcoin was broadly unchanged at $43,430.

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