- US Dollar continues struggling as buyers take a breather.
- US PCE Prices Index fell to 2.1% yearly in September, while the core inflation remains steady at 2.7%.
- US Jobless Claims fall to 216K, against market expectations of an increase to 230K.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) trades softer on Thursday despite persistent inflation in the United States, as measured by the Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) Prices Index. Additionally, the number of Initial Jobless Claims decreased more than expected for the last week of October, but the Greenback continues struggling for traction in the latter half of the week.
The DXY index has displayed a mixed path amid conflicting economic data. Strong ADP Employment Change figures and upwardly revised September ADP data were offset by downwardly revised Q3 GDP growth. The upcoming Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report on Friday could significantly impact the DXY's direction.
Daily digest market movers: US Dollar eases on profit-taking despite strong data
- The US PCE Prices Index rose moderately by 2.1% YoY in September, lower than the previous 2.2% but below the consensus of 2.2%.
- Core PCE, more relevant for the Fed, remained steady at 2.7%, against market expectations of a decline to 2.6%.
- Despite market consensus expecting an increase to 230K, Initial Jobless Claims fell to 216K in the week of October 25.
- Economists predict the the NFP to hit 113K new payrolls in October, significantly lower than September's 254K. The Unemployment Rate is anticipated to remain unchanged at 4.1%.
- Market participants will closely monitor employment data for insights into the Fed's interest rate decision-making.
- As for now, markets are expecting a 25 bps cut at next week’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting next week.
DXY technical outlook: DXY index consolidates near 104.50 support
The DXY index remains consolidating, possibly preparing to retest the 200-day SMA support at 103.50. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains elevated near overbought territory but is trending down. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator is generating smaller green bars, indicating a weakening momentum.
Supports: 104.50, 104.30, 104.00Resistances: 104.70, 104.90, 105.00
Nonfarm Payrolls FAQs
Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) are part of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly jobs report. The Nonfarm Payrolls component specifically measures the change in the number of people employed in the US during the previous month, excluding the farming industry.
The Nonfarm Payrolls figure can influence the decisions of the Federal Reserve by providing a measure of how successfully the Fed is meeting its mandate of fostering full employment and 2% inflation. A relatively high NFP figure means more people are in employment, earning more money and therefore probably spending more. A relatively low Nonfarm Payrolls’ result, on the either hand, could mean people are struggling to find work. The Fed will typically raise interest rates to combat high inflation triggered by low unemployment, and lower them to stimulate a stagnant labor market.
Nonfarm Payrolls generally have a positive correlation with the US Dollar. This means when payrolls’ figures come out higher-than-expected the USD tends to rally and vice versa when they are lower. NFPs influence the US Dollar by virtue of their impact on inflation, monetary policy expectations and interest rates. A higher NFP usually means the Federal Reserve will be more tight in its monetary policy, supporting the USD.
Nonfarm Payrolls are generally negatively-correlated with the price of Gold. This means a higher-than-expected payrolls’ figure will have a depressing effect on the Gold price and vice versa. Higher NFP generally has a positive effect on the value of the USD, and like most major commodities Gold is priced in US Dollars. If the USD gains in value, therefore, it requires less Dollars to buy an ounce of Gold. Also, higher interest rates (typically helped higher NFPs) also lessen the attractiveness of Gold as an investment compared to staying in cash, where the money will at least earn interest.
Nonfarm Payrolls is only one component within a bigger jobs report and it can be overshadowed by the other components. At times, when NFP come out higher-than-forecast, but the Average Weekly Earnings is lower than expected, the market has ignored the potentially inflationary effect of the headline result and interpreted the fall in earnings as deflationary. The Participation Rate and the Average Weekly Hours components can also influence the market reaction, but only in seldom events like the “Great Resignation” or the Global Financial Crisis.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD: Bears still dominate the sentiment
AUD/USD quickly reversed Monday’s auspicious start to the week on Tuesday, shifting its attention to the downside and printing new multi-week lows near 0.6430 ahead of the release of inflation data in Oz.
EUR/USD: Sellers will not leave it alone
EUR/USD resumed its widespread leg lower on Tuesday, rapidly setting aside Monday’s bullish price action and returning to the area below the 1.0500 support prior to key US data releases on Wednesday.
Gold under pressure below $2,630
Gold fluctuates above $2,600 on Tuesday after sliding almost three percent – a whopping $90 plus – on Monday due to rumors Israel and Hezbollah were on the verge of agreeing on a ceasefire. Whilst good news for Lebanon, this was not good news for Gold as it improved the outlook for geopolitical risk.
Bitcoin needs a further correction for sustained growth
After weeks of rapid growth, Bitcoin (BTC-USD) entered the maximum turbulence zone falling below $94,000. BTC is currently trading at $93,764 and continues to trend downward, having exited the ascending channel.
Eurozone PMI sounds the alarm about growth once more
The composite PMI dropped from 50 to 48.1, once more stressing growth concerns for the eurozone. Hard data has actually come in better than expected recently – so ahead of the December meeting, the ECB has to figure out whether this is the PMI crying wolf or whether it should take this signal seriously. We think it’s the latter.
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads
VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.