Dollar holds near two-month high as Fed signals possible rate hike
By Aboki Forex —
The U.S. dollar stayed close to a more than two-month high on Thursday. This followed the Federal Reserve's hawkish policy stance which has boosted expectations of another interest rate increase later this year.
Renewed weakness in the Japanese yen also prompted fresh warnings from Japanese authorities. The dollar's strength continued even as geopolitical tensions eased after a U.S.-Iran agreement. Investors focused instead on the Fed's updated outlook and rising inflation concerns.
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged. This was the first policy meeting under the new Chair. While rates were left on hold, nearly half of Fed policymakers now expect at least one rate hike before the end of the year. They cited persistent inflationary pressures.
Market expectations have shifted sharply. According to CME FedWatch data, traders now assign a high probability to a rate increase in December. A stronger than expected U.S. retail sales report further reinforced the view that the Fed may need to maintain a tighter monetary policy for longer.
The dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against a basket of major peers, was little changed after surging in recent days.