Dollar steadies after data knocks it off two-year highs

• The U.S. dollar edged higher on Wednesday after disappointing manufacturing data had whacked the greenback off two-year highs, while the euro clung to levels above $1.09.
• Even with more rate cuts, the dollar is still the highest-yielding currency among its developed market peers.

LONDON: The U.S. dollar edged higher on Wednesday after disappointing manufacturing data had whacked the greenback off two-year highs, while the euro clung to levels above $1.09.

U.S. manufacturing contracted at the fastest pace in more than a decade in September, making the United States the latest country to suffer a manufacturing downturn amid a trade war between Washington and Beijing.

Many analysts, however, say the setback for the dollar will likely prove temporary given its higher yield versus peers and the relative strength of the U.S. economy - non-farm payrolls data due on Friday should give some more insight into the health of the U.S. economy.

"Yes U.S. manufacturing is disappointing but it's no more disappointing than the euro zone PMIs (Purchasing Managers' Index surveys) we saw," said Michael Hewson, analyst at CMC Markets, referring to weak surveys in the euro area released this week.

Hewson said weakness in U.S. manufacturing would have to spill over into the services sector before it had a significant impact on monetary policy and the outlook for the dollar.

Others differed. The manufacturing reading was a bad omen for September U.S. labour figures due on Friday, BNY Mellon analysts said in a note, since moves are often correlated.

"This reinforces our view that while the Fed is still stubbornly clinging to its view that rates are currently appropriate. ..it will ultimately have to accept that the pillars of support - the labor market and the consumer - are weakening," the bank said.

Even with more rate cuts, the dollar is still the highest-yielding currency among its developed market peers.

The dollar index inched 0.1% higher to 99.242 in early trade after hitting as high as 99.667 on Tuesday, a 29-month peak, before the manufacturing data was released.

The euro fell 0.1% to $1.0921 but was above its two-year low of $1.0879 touched on Tuesday.

The Japanese yen strengthened 0.2% to 107.57, reflecting investor demand for safer assets after the U.S. data heightened concerns about the health of the global economy.