Dollar dips on profit taking, Fed rate path in focus

NEW YORK : The dollar fell on Friday as investors evaluated how high the Federal Reserve is likely to raise interest rates by when it meets later this month and as investors took profits after a strong rally that sent the greenback to a two-decade high on Thursday.

The greenback has jumped as the Fed is expected to raise rates faster and further than peer central banks as inflation soars to four-decade highs.

The dollar briefly gained on Friday after data showed that U.S. retail sales increased more than expected in June.

“It’s a little bit better than expected, but I think everyone realizes that probably that is due to inflation,” said Joseph Trevisani, senior analyst at FXStreet.com in New York. He added that investors are closing positions before the weekend, and after “a long, strong run in the dollar.”

Other data showed that manufacturing production slumped for a second straight month in June and U.S. consumers tempered their inflation expectations in July.

The dollar index fell to 108.04, down 0.47 per cent on the day. It reached 109.29 on Thursday, the highest since September 2002.

The euro gained 0.57 per cent to $1.0080. It traded as low as $0.9952 on Thursday, the weakest since December 2002.

Traders ramped up bets that the Fed will hike rates even faster after data on Wednesday showed U.S. annual consumer prices jumped 9.1 per cent in June, the largest increase in more than four decades.

Odds of a 100 basis points move fell, however, after two of the most hawkish Fed officials on Thursday said they would prefer a 75 basis points hike.

Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic on Friday also cautioned against the central bank moving "too dramatically" because it could undermine the strong hiring and other positive trends still seen in the economy.

Fed funds futures now indicate an 81 per cent chance of a 75 basis points increase and a 19 per cent chance of a 100 basis points increase.

The euro faces two major potential catalysts next week, with the European Central Bank expected to hike rates by 25 basis points for the first time since 2011 when it meets on July 21.

Investors will also be focused on whether the critical Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to Germany from Russia will reopen, after closing for maintenance this week. It is planned to reopen on July 21, but European governments are worried that Moscow could extend that in order to restrict European gas supply, disrupting plans to build up storage for winter.

The dollar slipped 0.27 per cent against the Japanese yen, after hitting a 24-year high on Thursday as the Japanese central bank maintains a dovish stance that contrasts with hawkish moves by other central banks.

The Australian dollar gained 0.60 per cent, after dropping to a two-year low on Thursday on concerns about global growth.

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Currency bid prices at 3:00PM (1900 GMT)

Description RIC Last U.S. Close Pct Change YTD Pct High Bid Low Bid

Previous Change

Session

Dollar index 108.0400 108.5700 -0.47 per cent 12.938 per cent +108.7200 +107.9000

Euro/Dollar $1.0080 $1.0023 +0.57 per cent -11.33 per cent +$1.0098 +$1.0007

Dollar/Yen 138.5400 138.9350 -0.27 per cent +20.37 per cent +139.1200 +138.3850

Euro/Yen 139.66 139.21 +0.32 per cent +7.17 per cent +139.8900 +138.7600

Dollar/Swiss 0.9780 0.9835 -0.55 per cent +7.23 per cent +0.9841 +0.9768

Sterling/Dollar $1.1857 $1.1826 +0.26 per cent -12.33 per cent +$1.1874 +$1.1805

Dollar/Canadian 1.3034 1.3117 -0.64 per cent +3.08 per cent +1.3135 +1.3014

Aussie/Dollar $0.6789 $0.6749 +0.60 per cent -6.60 per cent +$0.6806 +$0.6720

Euro/Swiss 0.9859 0.9856 +0.03 per cent -4.92 per cent +0.9874 +0.9827

Euro/Sterling 0.8499 0.8471 +0.33 per cent +1.18 per cent +0.8514 +0.8465

NZ $0.6155 $0.6123 +0.55 per cent -10.06 per cent +$0.6177 +$0.6121

Dollar/Dollar

Dollar/Norway 10.1800 10.2270 -0.45 per cent +15.56 per cent +10.2800 +10.1540

Euro/Norway 10.2615 10.2497 +0.12 per cent +2.48 per cent +10.3028 +10.2335

Dollar/Sweden 10.4881 10.5679 -0.21 per cent +16.30 per cent +10.5959 +10.4716

Euro/Sweden 10.5724 10.5950 -0.21 per cent +3.31 per cent +10.6147 +10.5607