The U.S. Dollar is experiencing an upswing, primarily influenced by the anticipation of a hawkish Federal Reserve stance, suggesting higher interest rates for an extended period. The currency has surpassed key indicators, the 50- and 200-day moving averages, hinting at trader confidence in a robust dollar backed by potential policy decisions.
AT 14:00 GMT, the U.S. Dollar Index is trading 103.474, down 0.100 or -0.10%.
The Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision is a pivotal factor for the dollar’s performance. Although expectations lean towards maintaining the current rate, the longer-term outlook for monetary policy extending into 2025 remains uncertain. The Fed’s policy decisions notably overshadow those of other central banks like the Bank of Japan, particularly in the USD/JPY currency pair.
The Dollar Index, a measure against six major currencies, is at a two-week high, bolstered by recent U.S. economic data. This data suggests persistent inflation, reducing the likelihood of significant Fed rate cuts. Such an economic environment strengthens the dollar’s position.
Market analysts are growing increasingly optimistic about the U.S. economy’s prospects, foreseeing a scenario that avoids recession and maintains steady growth. This view anticipates less aggressive Fed easing. Current surveys indicate a higher probability of a ‘soft landing’ for the economy, reducing recession chances within the next year.
The collective market sentiment and economic indicators point towards a bullish outlook for the U.S. Dollar in the short term. The anticipation of a hawkish Federal Reserve, coupled with resilient economic data, underpins this bullish stance. Although the long-term trajectory remains complex, current trends suggest the U.S. Dollar is set to maintain its strength in the near future, especially considering the subdued likelihood of aggressive rate cuts by the Fed.
The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) is trading higher on Tuesday after crossing to the strong side of both the 50- and 200-day moving averages. This makes 103.599 and 103.696 support. The next upside target is 104.292.
With both the intermediate and long-term trends up, bullish traders are hoping for the Fed to confirm and extend the move on Wednesday.
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.