US Dollar: Weekly Close Above 101.6 Could Redefine Greenback’s Path for Year Ahead

Adam

Summary:

The dollar is strengthening as the Fed signals slower rate cuts and global peers remain weaker. Safe-haven demand and policy divergence support gains, with 99.7–101.6 as the key technical range for trend direction.

The recent rise in the US Dollar may seem linked to the Fed’s interest rate policy, but it also signals a broader shift in global financial conditions. The Fed’s 25-basis-point cut at its last meeting, followed by its statement that this could be the final cut of the year, weakened market hopes for quick and continued easing.

The cautious remarks from Chair Jerome Powell and other Fed officials, who highlighted ongoing inflation risks, suggest that further cuts may come later and at a slower pace than investors expected. This shift in tone has helped the US dollar index regain strength in recent weeks.

At the same time, the delay in key economic data due to the government shutdown has made it harder for investors to gauge the health of the economy. With limited access to employment and growth figures—data the Fed relies on most—the market has turned to private indicators such as PMIs, ADP reports, and confidence surveys. During such uncertain periods, investors often seek safe havens, and the US dollar continues to play that role.

Global Policy Divergence and the Shifting Balance of the US Dollar

Looking at the US dollar index only from the US perspective gives an incomplete picture. The state of other major currencies also plays a key role in shaping this balance. The Bank of Japan’s slow and cautious approach to tightening policy, along with its occasional hints at easing, continues to weigh on the USD/JPY.

In the Eurozone, a weak economic recovery, debates over fiscal discipline, and ongoing political uncertainty have kept the euro under pressure. As a result, the US dollar’s recent strength reflects a two-sided story—it rises not only because of its own momentum, but also because its major counterparts are losing ground.

The recent improvement in US-China relations has had a mixed impact on the US dollar. While the easing of trade tensions boosted market confidence, China’s retreat in areas such as rare earths and supply chains ended up supporting the US dollar in the long run. These moves have strengthened the US’s bargaining position rather than weakening it.

This is why the US dollar index has continued to climb even as geopolitical tensions eased—the balance still leans in favor of the US, even if the nature of the risk has shifted.

Shifting Risk Appetite Across Commodities and Emerging Markets

When the US dollar strengthens, pressure on developing countries tends to rise. This happens not only because capital flows shift away from them, but also because borrowing in US dollars becomes more expensive. As the US dollar’s value climbs, the financial balance in emerging markets becomes more fragile, and portfolio flows can reverse quickly.

This often triggers the unwinding of carry trade positions. From this point of view, it is natural that a rising US dollar index goes hand in hand with greater weakness in emerging market currencies.

In the commodities market, precious metals—especially gold—usually come under pressure when the US dollar strengthens. Gold has struggled to find a clear direction in recent weeks, as uncertainty over the Fed’s interest rate path has made it difficult for the metal to establish a lasting trend.

In the oil market, how OPEC+ production decisions influence global inflation will continue to indirectly shape the Fed’s policy outlook. This places the US dollar at the center of the cycle linking energy costs, inflation, and central bank responses, extending its influence far beyond domestic economic factors.

US Dollar Technical Outlook

The US dollar index’s recovery, which began around 98.5, is now testing the key 99.7 level. This zone marks the upper boundary of the sideways trend seen since May, making it an important technical threshold. If the index holds above 99.7, it could gain further momentum toward 101.6—a level that has previously marked major medium-term trend shifts.

A break above 101.6 would suggest that the current move is more than a short-term rebound and may signal the start of a new upward trend.

However, if the index closes below 99.7, focus will return to 98.5. A drop below that point would weaken the US dollar’s short-term momentum. In the days ahead, the index’s path will largely depend on how prices behave within the 99.7 to 101.6 range.

The Fed’s cautious but hawkish tone, the weak policy outlook for the euro and yen, and the recent easing in US-China relations have all helped maintain the US dollar’s strong long-term position. At the same time, uncertainty in economic data keeps safe-haven demand steady, while high energy prices continue to influence inflation expectations. Together, these factors are supporting the US dollar index’s short-term upward trend.

As long as the US dollar index stays above 99.7, the upward trend remains intact. The 101.6 level will likely serve as a key point in confirming whether this rise develops into a sustained trend.

Source: investing

News, historical chart data, and fundamental company data are provided by FastBull Ltd.

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

You understand and acknowledge that there is a high degree of risk involved in trading. Following any strategies or investment methods may lead to potential losses. The content on the site is provided by our contributors and analysts for information purposes only. You are solely responsible for determining whether any trading assets, securities, strategy, or any other product is suitable for investing based on your own investment objectives and financial situation.