US Dollar Rebound May Continue on CPI, European Politics

DXY

US DOLLAR FUNDAMENTAL FORECAST: BULLISH

  • US midterm elections outcome, FOMC rate decision drive Dollar upward
  • Upbeat inflation data may boost Fed rate hike bets, adding to USD gains
  • Sluggish Brexit talks, jitters in Italy and Sweden may stoke haven demand

See our US Dollar forecast to learn what will drive prices through the end of the year!

US midterm elections delivered as expected last week, producing a divided Congress as the Democrats reclaimed control of the House of Representatives and sending the Dollar higher. While the currency initially wobbled, hopes for a bipartisan infrastructure spending effort that boosts growth and inflation – pushing the Fed into a steeper tightening cycle – ultimately translated into a reversal higher.

The policy announcement from the Federal Reserve was also helpful. The rate-setting FOMC committee was unusually brief in its pronouncement, conspicuously overlooking October’s market turmoil and accenting attention on the economy’s strength. That amplified tailwinds propelling the Greenback higher as markets concluded that Jerome Powell and company will not be easily persuaded to dial back tightening.

October’s US CPI report headlines the economic data docket in the week ahead. The headline on-year inflation rate is expected to rebound to 2.5 percent after sliding to a seven-month low of 2.3 percent in the prior month. US economic news-flow has increasingly improved relative to consensus forecasts recently, opening the door for an upside surprise that inspires another upshift in the projected Fed rate hike path.

Meanwhile on the external front, European politics are in focus. Brexit-related news flow will dominate at the beginning of the week. UK Prime Minister Theresa May is holding a cabinet meeting to persuade ministers to back her plans while chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier is due to brief regional officials and the press on how talks are progressing.

From there, Italy will resubmit its budget to the EU Commission. It has taken issue with Rome’s deficit projections – saying they will violate statutory limits – but the anti-establishment government now ruling the bloc’s third-largest economy has refused to make changes. Sweden will then attempt to break gridlock following an inconclusive general election by electing a Prime Minister and adopting a “neutral” budget.

If Brexit talks continue to stall while the EU is roiled by worries about swelling euroscepticism – primarily in Italy but also in Sweden – market-wide risk appetite may sour. Haven demand for the US Dollar may re-emerge in this scenario, compounding gains the currency might enjoy courtesy of domestic data. Confident comments From Fed officials including Chair Powell throughout the week may likewise help.

— Written by Ilya Spivak, Sr. Currency Strategist for DailyFX.com

To contact Ilya, use the comments section below or @IlyaSpivakon Twitter

OTHER FUNDAMENTAL FORECASTS:

Australian Dollar Forecast – Australian Dollar Can Hold Up As Long As Risk Appetite Does Too

Oil Forecast – Crude Oil Prices May Extend Fall as Fed Boosts USD, Sinks S&P 500

Oil Forecast – Oil Price Enters Bear Market Even as U.S. Crude Output Hits Record-High

British Pound Forecast – Brexit Breakthrough Needed for Bullish Breakout

Source link