- DXY Index exhibits mild losses at 105.35, indicating a modest bearish trend.
- Market attention is centered on conservative Fed comments and April inflation expectations that could shape US Dollar outlook.
- Bets on the Fed remain steady and also lend support toalternative the USD.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) is trading mildly lower at 105.35 on Monday at the midpoint of the US session. The strong market odds and the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) hawkish stance toward cutting interest rates limits the losses for the US Dollar. Any possible Greenback rally predominantly depends on major US data this week, particularly April’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday.
The US economy continues to exhibit robust growth in Q2, underpinning the USD’s recovery following cautious Fed comments. Signals hinting at no imminent rate cuts have adjusted the market’s easing expectations, fostering a more hawkish outlook. Fed officials’ stance, while cautious, is largely data-driven, and key indicators such as CPI and Retail Sales due this week will drive the narrative.
Daily digest market movers: DXY mildly down ahead of CPI
- Fed remains vigilant, limiting USD losses. Rate cuts are not imminent with the probability of a June cut decreasing from 10% to 5% at the start of last week. Probability of a July cut reduced to approximately 25% from 40%.
- A November rate cut remains fully anticipated by the markets.
- This week is crucial with three major economic figures expected: Producer Price Index (PPI), CPI and Retail Sales. Market predictions suggest persistent inflation and robust growth in the US, which is likely to be verified by the upcoming data that would extend the Greenback’s rally.
DXY technical analysis: DXY reflects a probable bearish outlook despite bulls’ efforts
The current technical picture of the DXY shows mixed signals that lean toward a more bearish outlook. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) prominently reveals a negative slope and is entrenched in negative territory. This points to a growing dominance of selling pressure, indicative of weakened buying momentum and a potential downward trend. Simultaneously, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) displays flat red bars, a signal that, despite a struggling bullish momentum, the bearish momentum is failing to make strong gains.
As for the Simple Moving Averages (SMAs), they exhibit intricate dynamics. The DXY is trading beneath the 20-day SMA, representing short-term bearish dominance. However, the fact that the Index still remains above both the 100 and 200-day SMAs may hint toward potential long-term bullish pressure.
Inflation FAQs
Inflation measures the rise in the price of a representative basket of goods and services. Headline inflation is usually expressed as a percentage change on a month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) basis. Core inflation excludes more volatile elements such as food and fuel which can fluctuate because of geopolitical and seasonal factors. Core inflation is the figure economists focus on and is the level targeted by central banks, which are mandated to keep inflation at a manageable level, usually around 2%.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in prices of a basket of goods and services over a period of time. It is usually expressed as a percentage change on a month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) basis. Core CPI is the figure targeted by central banks as it excludes volatile food and fuel inputs. When Core CPI rises above 2% it usually results in higher interest rates and vice versa when it falls below 2%. Since higher interest rates are positive for a currency, higher inflation usually results in a stronger currency. The opposite is true when inflation falls.
Although it may seem counter-intuitive, high inflation in a country pushes up the value of its currency and vice versa for lower inflation. This is because the central bank will normally raise interest rates to combat the higher inflation, which attract more global capital inflows from investors looking for a lucrative place to park their money.
Formerly, Gold was the asset investors turned to in times of high inflation because it preserved its value, and whilst investors will often still buy Gold for its safe-haven properties in times of extreme market turmoil, this is not the case most of the time. This is because when inflation is high, central banks will put up interest rates to combat it. Higher interest rates are negative for Gold because they increase the opportunity-cost of holding Gold vis-a-vis an interest-bearing asset or placing the money in a cash deposit account. On the flipside, lower inflation tends to be positive for Gold as it brings interest rates down, making the bright metal a more viable investment alternative.