The U.S. Dollar Index edged lower on Monday, primarily due to a strengthening Euro. The index breached its 50-day moving average at 105.104, with sellers now targeting the 200-day moving average at 103.911.
The Euro stabilized at $1.0838 after initial losses stemming from projections of a hung parliament in France. While the leftist New Popular Front alliance is expected to lead, President Macron’s centrist alliance falls short of a majority. Analysts suggest these results are unlikely to have a lasting negative impact on the Euro.
Friday’s unexpectedly soft U.S. payrolls data continued to pressure the dollar. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 206,000 in June, slightly above forecasts, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.1%. This data has boosted expectations for the Federal Reserve to begin cutting interest rates soon.
Sterling reached a 3.5-week high against the dollar, buoyed by the Labour Party’s recent election victory. The Australian dollar hit a six-month peak, benefiting from overall dollar weakness. The yen, while strengthening, remained above last week’s nearly 38-year low against the dollar.
U.S. Treasury yields inched higher on Monday, with the 10-year yield at 4.281% and the 2-year yield at 4.62%. Investors are now focused on upcoming economic data, particularly the June consumer price index and producer price index, for insights into inflation trends and potential Fed policy shifts.
Gold is trading lower on Monday despite a weaker U.S. Dollar, The move is likely being fueled by profit-taking and a rise in Treasury yields.
The short-term outlook for the U.S. Dollar Index appears bearish. Traders are pricing in a 76% probability of a Fed rate cut by September, up from 64% a week ago. With the dollar breaking below key technical levels and market sentiment shifting towards rate cuts, further downside for the index is likely in the near term. Traders should monitor upcoming inflation data and Fed Chairman Powell’s congressional testimony for potential market-moving catalysts.
James Hyerczyk is a U.S. based seasoned technical analyst and educator with over 40 years of experience in market analysis and trading, specializing in chart patterns and price movement. He is the author of two books on technical analysis and has a background in both futures and stock markets.