US Dollar held its ground after mixed NFPs


  • US Dollar recovers ground after mixed August Nonfarm Payrolls data.
  • Fed official downplayed discussions of a larger rate cut in September than 25 bps.
  • Markets are seeing 40% odds of a 50 bps cut in the next Fed meeting.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), a measure of the US Dollar against a basket of six currencies, recovered its footing on Friday after the release of August Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data came in mixed. Following the data, the probabilities of the Federal Reserve (Fed) implementing a 50 bps rate cut in September remains high, but Fed officials might not embrace it yet.

Despite positive economic indicators, the market may be exaggerating its expectations for aggressive monetary policy easing. The current growth rate exceeds the long-term trend, signaling that markets may be overestimating the need for such measures. However, a 25 bps cut is a done deal.

Daily digest market movers: US Dollar recovers as markets digest mixed NFPs

  • US Dollar held its ground after a weaker-than-expected NFP report for August, which showed 142,000 new jobs created against a forecast of 160,000.
  • Despite the headline miss, the Unemployment Rate fell to 4.2% as anticipated, while Average Hourly Earnings rose 3.8% YoY, topping expectations.
  • Probability of a 0.50% rate cut by the Fed in September remains at 40%, but a 25 bps cut is now seen as a mere certainty.
  • Following the data, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee indicated that the Fed is beginning to align with the market’s view on rate cuts.
  • However, Goolsbee downplayed the discussion of a larger rate cut in September.

DXY technical outlook: DXY bears maintain dominance, resistance at 101.60

Technical analysis suggests a bearish outlook for the DXY index as indicators remain negative, indicating bearish dominance. A recovery above the 20-day SMA average (currently around 101.60) could signal a shift in sentiment.

Supports: 101.30, 101.15, 101.00

Resistances: 101.60, 102.00, 102.30