USD Index Price Analysis: A drop to the 200-day SMA cannot be ruled out

• DXY breaks below the 106.00 support to clinch new multi-month lows.
• Immediately to the downside now emerges the 200-day SMA.

DXY quickly fades Monday’s bull run and refocuses on the downside, breaking below the 106.00 mark for the first time since mid-August.

If the selling bias gathers extra pace, then the index could dispute the critical 200-day SMA, today at 104.89.

Below this region, the dollar’s outlook should shift to negative.

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The US Dollar is at an advantage against the Euro thanks to the Fed – Commerzbank

Whose monetary policy is more attractive? A comparison of the Fed and ECB shows the US Dollar is more attractive than the Euro, economists at Commerzbank report.

Dollar holds advantage over the Euro

“Fed Chair Jay Powell has pointed out that the Fed is aiming for a key rate level above inflation medium-term. That means the Fed will only stop hiking interest rates or lower them again once it can be sufficiently certain that inflation is easing notably. The impression the ECB is giving to observers is completely different. One gets the impression that Europe’s central bankers have to be forced by high inflation data to get them to hike rates. From the FX market’s point of view that means the Dollar is at an advantage against the Euro.”

“If inflation were to not fall or ease much less than the central banks expect the ECB would always be chasing inflation developments, would stand little chance of anchoring it and would produce negative real interest rates medium-term as a result. The Fed on the other hand would hike its key rate more significantly than it is planning so far. In the end, US Dollar real interest rates would also be positive in that scenario.”

“What is decisive from the FX market’s point of view depends on the rule the central bank applies to set its rates. The Fed’s rule seems to be more suited for protection against negative inflation surprises. That too makes the Dollar attractive, not just the current rate advantage.”

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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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USD Index rebounds from recent lows and retests 110.50 ahead of data\

The index reverses the recent pullback and advances to 110.50.

US yields attempt a mild recovery across the curve.

ADP Report, ISM Non-Manufacturing take centre stage in the docket.

The greenback regains the smile following the recent sharp decline and retakes the 110.50 region when gauged by the USD Index (DXY) on Wednesday.

USD Index now looks to data

The index picks up some pace and partially reverses two consecutive daily drops amidst some loss of momentum in the risk complex in light of the recent needle-like rebound, particularly in the euro and the British pound.

The recovery in the buck so far comes in tandem with a tepid bullish attempt in US yields across after two consecutive sessions closing with gains, especially in the short end and the belly of the curve.

Interesting calendar in the US later on Wednesday will see the usual weekly MBA Mortgage Applications due in the first turn seconded by the ADP Employment Change Report for the month of September, Balance of Trade results, final S&P Global Services PMI and the ISM Non-Manufacturing.

In addition, Atlanta Fed R.Bostic (2024 voter, hawk) is also due to speak.

What to look for around USD

A hint of a recovery seems to have emerged around the dollar midweek after some decent support appears to have turned up near the 110.00 neighbourhood.

While the near-term outlook for the dollar looks somewhat dented, the firmer conviction of the Federal Reserve to keep hiking rates until inflation looks well under control regardless of a likely slowdown in the economic activity and some loss of momentum in the labour market continues to prop up the underlying positive tone in the index.

Looking at the more macro scenario, the greenback also appears bolstered by the Fed’s divergence vs. most of its G10 peers in combination with bouts of geopolitical effervescence and occasional re-emergence of risk aversion.

Key events in the US this week: MBA Mortgage Applications, ADP Employment Change, Balance of Trade, Final Services PMI, ISM Non-Manufacturing (Wednesday) – Initial Jobless Claims (Thursday) – Nonfarm Payrolls, Unemployment Rate, Consumer Credit Change, Wholesale Inventories (Friday).

Eminent issues on the back boiler: Hard/soft/softish? landing of the US economy. Prospects for further rate hikes by the Federal Reserve vs. speculation of a recession in the next months. Geopolitical effervescence vs. Russia and China. US-China persistent trade conflict.

USD Index relevant levels

Now, the index is gaining 0.28% at 110.51 and faces the next up barrier at 114.76 (2022 high September 28) seconded by 115.00 (round level) and then 115.32 (May 2002 high). On the other hand, a breach of 110.05 (weekly low October 4) would open the door to 109.35 (weekly low September 20) and finally 107.68 (monthly low September 13).

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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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