SINGAPORE: The dollar was rooted near a two-week low on Thursday following minutes from the last US Federal Reserve meeting that showed policymakers taking a cautious stance and as investors awaited key inflation data.
The dollar index, which measures the US currency against six rivals, was at 105.67, not far from 105.55, its lowest since Sept. 25 it touched on Wednesday. The index is down 0.4% for the week.
Fed officials pointed to uncertainties around the economy, oil prices and financial markets as supporting “the case for proceeding carefully in determining the extent of additional policy firming that may be appropriate,” according to the minutes released on Wednesday from the Sept. 19-20 meeting.
Dollar slips on underlying moderate PPI data
In recent comments, Fed officials have cited rising bond yields as a factor that may allow them to call it a day on their rate hike cycle.
Also keeping the mood cautious was a mixed report on US producer prices, which increased more than expected in September amid higher costs for energy products and food. But underlying inflation pressures at the factory gate continued to abate.
“This (PPI data) is a reminder that the last mile of the fight against inflation is going to be a tough one,” said Ryan Brandham, head of global capital markets, North America at Validus Risk Management.
The report comes ahead of the release on Thursday of September’s consumer price index data, which is expected to show inflation moderated last month.
A downside surprise to inflation will likely support the case for the Fed to have finished its tightening cycle, thereby pulling down US yields and the dollar, according to Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
“On the flip side, an upside surprise will likely encourage markets to reprice higher the chance the Federal Open Market Committee will follow through on its projected 25 basis point hike.”
Futures markets are pricing in a 26% chance of a 25 basis point hike in the December meeting and a 9% chance of a 25 basis point hike in November meeting, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
The dollar’s recent weakness has been driven by declining Treasury yields as bond prices rallied on the Fed’s softer stance on future rate hikes. Bond yields move opposite to their price.
The yield on 10-year Treasury notes was down 3.5 basis points to 4.562%.
The euro was up 0.03% at $1.062, after touching an over two week high on Wednesday.
Two influential European Central Bank policymakers said on Wednesday the central bank has made progress in getting inflation back down to target, but new shocks could still require the bank to continue a now-paused tightening cycle.
The Japanese yen strengthened 0.03% to 149.11 per dollar, while sterling was last trading at $1.2311, flat on the day.
The Australian dollar rose 0.05% to $0.642, while the kiwi fell 0.03% to $0.602.
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