Should President Trump indeed impose more tariffs, that is expected to derail global growth while shattering the still-fragile market sentiment, sending investors scurrying back to safe haven assets.
Dollar climbs as US retail sales, factory output speak to economic resilience
The US economic momentum appears steadfast in the face of waning global uncertainties, as June’s retail sales and factory output data came in better-than-expected. This prompted the Dollar index (DXY) to climb towards the 97.4 marks at the time of writing, with most G10 and Asian currencies paring recent gains against the Greenback.
While the Fed remains on course for an interest rate cut later this month, the latest economic indicators imply that policymakers may be able to ease up on its dovish stance, which is allowing the Greenback to climb higher. The question now is whether the Fed will lower its benchmark policy rates by 50-basis points this month only to stand pat for the remainder of 2019, or trigger multiple cuts over the course of the year. Should external risks lean further towards the downside while US inflation remains muted, the Fed will likely then cling on to its easing bias, which in turn could cap Dollar gains.
Traders ignore positive UK employment data to send Pound to lowest since 2017
The Pound has hit a two-year low against the US Dollar, hovering just above the 1.24 level at the time of writing, as fears over a no-deal Brexit continue to climb. Despite the positive UK employment data, markets still remain very much focused on deciphering Brexit’s eventual fate.
With a new UK Prime Minister set to be announced by next week, Sterling traders have been disheartened by the remaining two candidates both rejecting the Irish backstop. Such rhetoric potentially raises the bar on striking a Brexit deal with the European Union, while increasing the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit. GBPUSD may continue exploring its downside, potentially testing 1.20, should the market-perceived likelihood of a no-deal Brexit ramp up ahead of the October 31 Brexit deadline.