Dollar stays firm as traders look to US data for policy cues

SINGAPORE: The dollar clung to a recent bounce on Monday as investors made a cautious start to a week crammed with central bank meetings and big-ticket US economic data, waiting for clues on the outlook for global inflation and for policymakers' responses.

Trade was thinned by holidays in Japan and China, which kept a lid on volatility, leaving the greenback to trade where it settled after a Friday leap.

It held at $1.2020 per euro and crept to a three-week high of 109.58 yen.

The dollar index, measured against six major currencies, held at 91.322.

The index dropped 2% through April as a positive view of global recovery prospects lifted trade-exposed currencies at the dollar's expense, but bounced with upbeat US consumption data on Friday.

"We expect the dollar to trend lower because of the improving global economic outlook," said Commonwealth Bank of Australia analyst Kim Mundy in an emailed note.

"Nevertheless," she said "the risk of short bouts of dollar strength remain if solid data push US Treasury yields materially higher."

The Australian and New Zealand dollars were marginally firmer on Monday, though not enough to recoup a dip suffered on Friday.

The Aussie rose 0.1% $0.7718 to trade around its 20-day moving average, while the kiwi edged 0.2% higher to $0.7171, also just above its 20-day moving average. Sterling steadied at $1.3825.

Elsewhere in Asia China's yuan drifted lower to 6.4781 per dollar in offshore trade following hawkish remarks from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The South Korean won hit a one-week low after North Korea vowed it would respond to what it regards as hostile US policy, while pressure for a national lockdown in India pushed the rupee a little lower.

In crypto markets, ethereum broke past $3,000 to post a fresh record peak of $3,061.17.

DATA DELUGE

Purchasing Managers Index figures for manufacturers were positive in Asia on Monday and those due later on Monday are expected to show growth picking up speed in Europe and the United States. However the week's major focus will be on US manufacturing surveys due Wednesday and April labour market numbers on Friday.

Forecasts are that 978,000 jobs were created in the month. However analysts say the market response to a surprise either way may be hard to guess, as investors have begun to fret that strong data may prompt central bankers to taper their support.

"The risk is for a hotter number," said Chris Weston, head of research at broker Pepperstone in Melbourne.

"But will good numbers lead to a broad risk-off vibe, as traders' price in higher rate expectations, and the dollar rallies," he added. "I suspect we're getting to a point where really good data could start to become bad for markets."

Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan caused a stir on Friday by calling for beginning the conversation about tapering, although Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has been clear that he is likely to be patient.

Powell is due to speak later on Monday and will be followed by a raft of Fed officials this week. Central bank policy meetings are also scheduled this week in Australia, Britain and Norway.

In Australia, no policy changes are expected on Tuesday although traders will look to a speech by deputy Reserve Bank of Australia governor Guy Debelle on Thursday for insight into the bank's thinking around its bond purchases outlook.

Asset purchases are likewise the focus when the Bank of England meets on Thursday, as well as perhaps an upgrade of its economic outlook, while Norges Bank - which projects hiking rates this year - is expected to stick with its hawkish tone.