- The US Dollar is on the brink of printing a fresh two-month high.
- Not only betting sites, but also financial markets are doubling down on a Trump win.
- The US Dollar Index has broken above a key resistance and is on its way to 104.00.
The US Dollar (USD) extends gains on Wednesday after breaking above a very heavy resistance level in the US Dollar Index (DXY). The Greenback received an extra push after former President Donald Trump appeared on Bloomberg television outlining his plans if he wins the November 5 presidential election. Trump delivered some harsh statements on trade, taxes and the Federal Reserve (Fed) which were enough to push the Greenback higher against most major currency peers as traders increasingly seem to price in a victory for the Republican nominee.
The US economic calendar is light on Wednesday, with no real market-moving data ahead and no Fed officials set to speak. Expect traders to sit on their hands in the run-up to the European Central Bank (ECB) meeting on Thursday.
Daily digest market movers: Is it a done deal yet?
- During the US session on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump appeared in an interview on Bloomberg. He used the forum to further outline his plans on trade, the US economy and the Fed. His words pushed the US Dollar higher to fresh two-month highs against the Euro (EUR) and against the Chinese Yuan (CNY).
- Looking at the calendar, the weekly Mortgage Applications from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) were due at 11:00 GMT. Applications fell by a staggering 17% after last week applications already fell by 5.1%.
- At 12:30 GMT, the Import/Export Price Index for September were reeleased:
- Monthly Export Prices fell to -0.7%, coming from a revised -0.9% (previous reading -0.7%) while the Monthly Import Price Index declined further by -0.4, coming from a negative 0.2% (previous -0.3%) in August.
- Equities are very binary this Wednesday with rather chunky losses for Europe, while US futures look quite positive ahead of the US Opening Bell.
- The CME Fed rate expectation for the meeting on November 7 shows a 94.2% probability of a 25 basis point rate cut, while the remaining 5.8% is pricing in no rate cut. Chances for a 50 bps rate cut have been fully priced out.
- The US 10-year benchmark rate is trading at 4.00%, a touch softer than the high from last week at 4.11% seen on Thursday.
US Dollar Index Technical Analysis: Trump gaining means DXY gaining
The US Dollar Index (DXY) is seeing ample amount of support and inflow for a second day in a row after former US President Donald Trump’s interview..
Markets are starting to take positions on the assumption that Trump will win the election, which traders seem to be associating to a stronger US Dollar based on his laid-out plans. With the DXY making its way through that difficult 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 103.21, the next level up is 103.78 and 104.00.
A double belt of resistance is ahead at 103.78, which aligns with the 200-day SMA. After that, there is a small gap before hitting the pivotal level at 103.99 and the 104.00 big figure. Should Trump start to further lead in the polls, a rapid swing up to 105.00 with 105.53 as first port of call could be on the cards.
On the downside, the 100-day SMA at 103.21 together with the pivotal level at 103.18 is now acting as support and should avoid the DXY from falling lower. With the Relative Strength Index near overbought territory, a test on this level looks granted. Further down, the 55-day SMA at 101.85 and the pivotal level at 101.90 should avoid any further downside moves.
US Dollar Index: Daily Chart
Risk sentiment FAQs
In the world of financial jargon the two widely used terms “risk-on” and “risk off” refer to the level of risk that investors are willing to stomach during the period referenced. In a “risk-on” market, investors are optimistic about the future and more willing to buy risky assets. In a “risk-off” market investors start to ‘play it safe’ because they are worried about the future, and therefore buy less risky assets that are more certain of bringing a return, even if it is relatively modest.
Typically, during periods of “risk-on”, stock markets will rise, most commodities – except Gold – will also gain in value, since they benefit from a positive growth outlook. The currencies of nations that are heavy commodity exporters strengthen because of increased demand, and Cryptocurrencies rise. In a “risk-off” market, Bonds go up – especially major government Bonds – Gold shines, and safe-haven currencies such as the Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc and US Dollar all benefit.
The Australian Dollar (AUD), the Canadian Dollar (CAD), the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and minor FX like the Ruble (RUB) and the South African Rand (ZAR), all tend to rise in markets that are “risk-on”. This is because the economies of these currencies are heavily reliant on commodity exports for growth, and commodities tend to rise in price during risk-on periods. This is because investors foresee greater demand for raw materials in the future due to heightened economic activity.
The major currencies that tend to rise during periods of “risk-off” are the US Dollar (USD), the Japanese Yen (JPY) and the Swiss Franc (CHF). The US Dollar, because it is the world’s reserve currency, and because in times of crisis investors buy US government debt, which is seen as safe because the largest economy in the world is unlikely to default. The Yen, from increased demand for Japanese government bonds, because a high proportion are held by domestic investors who are unlikely to dump them – even in a crisis. The Swiss Franc, because strict Swiss banking laws offer investors enhanced capital protection.
