The US Dollar Index (DXY) trades sideways around 104.25 at the start of the week, despite recent weaker economic data. This lack of movement reflects market uncertainty ahead of the release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes.
Reasons for the Stalemate:
- Mixed Economic Data: Recent US data on inflation and retail sales missed expectations, but the overall economic picture remains stable.
- Fed’s Hawkish Stance: The Fed remains cautious about easing monetary policy prematurely due to persistent loose financial conditions.
Market Awaits FOMC Minutes:
- Focus on Fed’s Policy Signals: Investors are looking for clues in the FOMC minutes regarding the Fed’s future rate hike plans.
Technical Analysis (DXY):
- Undecided Market: Technical indicators on the daily chart show a market lacking clear direction.
- RSI: The flat Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggests a tug-of-war between buyers and sellers.
- MACD: The flat MACD histogram with red bars indicates potential short-term bearish pressure.
- SMAs: The DXY trading below the 20-day SMA suggests a recent bearish trend, but remaining above the 100-day and 200-day SMAs hints at a longer-term bullish bias.
The US Dollar’s direction hinges on upcoming economic data, particularly the S&P data release, and the FOMC minutes’ revelations about the Fed’s policy stance. Until then, the market might remain indecisive.
