Main financial assets discussed: Euro (EUR), U.S. dollar (USD), Invesco CurrencyShares Euro Trust (FXE) ETF
Top 3 key points:
1. The relative interest rate differential between the European Central Bank (ECB) and the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) has been a key driver of the Euro's strength against the U.S. dollar in the past.
2. The changing tone of the ECB, with President Christine Lagarde being more dovish, and the diverging economic performance between the U.S. and Europe suggest that the Euro may weaken against the U.S. dollar.
3. Speculative positioning in the Euro is at its longest in years, and technical indicators suggest a potential breakdown in the Euro's value.
Recommended actions: **Sell** the Euro or the FXE ETF. Short the Euro directly via FX markets or buy a put spread on the FXE ETF.
### Summary
Global dedollarization efforts are facing a credibility challenge as currencies such as the Russian ruble, Chinese yuan, and Argentine peso suffer significant declines, highlighting the perceived stability and reliability of the US dollar.
### Facts
- 📉 The Chinese yuan, Russian ruble, and Argentine peso have all experienced significant declines in value recently, causing their respective central banks to take measures to stabilize their currencies.
- 🌍 These declines come at a time when countries like Russia and China are actively trying to reduce their reliance on the US dollar in trade and investments, a trend known as dedollarization.
- 💰 However, the recent exchange-rate turmoil and instability of these currencies against the US dollar could undermine the dedollarization efforts and raise questions about the feasibility of finding a common currency to combat the dominance of the dollar.
- 💱 Dedollarization efforts in Argentina have been limited, with some even advocating for adopting the US dollar as the local currency to combat hyperinflation.
- 🌎 While the share of the US dollar in global reserves has decreased over the years, it still makes up nearly 60% of the world's foreign-exchange holdings, highlighting its long-standing dominance as the world's reserve currency.
Note: The text provided is truncated, so the summary and bullet points may not capture the complete context of the original text.
Summary: The ongoing slide in US Treasuries is expected to support the dollar and pose a headwind for risk assets, according to analysts, while flash PMIs for August and the 15th BRICS summit will be closely watched this week.
The US Dollar strengthens as several BRIC countries express support for the currency, while Fed officials remain quiet on rate cuts, and geopolitical tensions boost the Greenback during US trading hours.
A group of developing countries known as BRICS, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is determined to challenge the dominance of the US dollar in global finance and trade through the process of de-dollarization, which they believe is irreversible and gaining pace. The shift away from dollar dominance is driven by recent geopolitical tensions and the desire to have more choices in global financial interactions, rather than being anti-West or anti-dollar. However, experts believe that the dollar will remain the dominant global currency for the foreseeable future.
In August, the USD strengthened against major currencies, with the dollar index up 2.28%, EURUSD down 1.83%, USDJPY up 2.83%, GBPUSD down 1.96%, USDCAD up 3.25%, and AUDUSD down 4.64%. Meanwhile, major global stock indices experienced declines, led by Hong Kong's Hang Seng index and China's Shanghai composite index.
The US dollar experienced a major technical reversal due to a weaker JOLTs report, leading to a drop in US interest rates, while market positioning played a role in the price action; the focus now shifts to personal consumption figures and US jobs data, with the euro and sterling firm but most other G10 currencies softer, and emerging market currencies mixed. In Asia, most large bourses advanced, but Europe's Stoxx 600 fell after rallying in previous sessions, while US index futures traded softer; European bonds are selling up, gold is consolidating, and oil prices are firm. Australia's CPI slowed more than expected, China is expected to release the August PMI, and Japan reports July retail sales. The US dollar has seen no follow-through selling against the yen, yuan, or Australian dollar, while the euro and sterling staged impressive price action. The JOLTS report saw the dollar and US rates reverse lower, and today the US reports advanced merchandise trade figures for July, with the Canadian dollar as the worst performing G10 currency yesterday.
The US Dollar is expected to trade sideways at the start of the week, with no major drivers or data points to monitor until markets open on Tuesday. The focus for the week will be on Wednesday's release of the Services PMI survey and several central bank speeches leading up to the next Federal Reserve meeting on September 20. Additionally, the article provides information on central banks and their role in monetary policy and interest rates.
The dollar's strength is expected to be difficult to overcome for most major currencies by year-end, according to a Reuters poll of forex strategists, with risks to the greenback outlook skewed to the upside.
The US dollar's strength in the foreign exchange market, along with discussions of de-dollarization, highlights the divergence between the US and other major economies. The Dollar Index is on an eight-week rally, reaching a record high in international payments, while the euro's share has declined to a record low. In the week ahead, the US CPI and the ECB meeting are expected to be major events, with the US showing signs of inflation and weaker demand, and the euro facing challenges amid stagnation and inflation. China's CPI and PPI have shown some improvement, but the focus will be on yuan loans and real sector data. The eurozone's focus will be on the possibility of a rate hike by the ECB and the release of July industrial production figures. Japan's household consumption continues to fall, and the country may experience a contraction in Q3. The UK will release employment data and GDP details, while Canada will see data on existing home sales and the CPI. Australia will release its August employment data, and Mexico's peso positions may continue to adjust due to the winding down of the currency forward hedging facility.
The value of the U.S. dollar has been strengthening against the Euro and the British Pound due to the continuing strength of the U.S. economy and the weakness of the European economies.
The US Dollar performed strongly against major currencies, with the Euro experiencing its 8th consecutive weekly loss and the Chinese Yuan performing poorly, while global market sentiment was negative and stock markets weakened. In the coming week, market focus will be on the US inflation report, UK employment and GDP data, Australian employment data, and the ECB rate decision.
The Mexican peso and other Latin American currencies strengthened as a weaker dollar and positive economic data from China boosted metal prices and supported resource-rich countries in the region.
Latin American currencies and stocks are set for their biggest weekly increases in months, benefiting from a stabilizing Chinese economy, rallying commodity prices, and expectations that the Federal Reserve will stop hiking rates.
European markets are pessimistic ahead of central bank meetings, energy prices raise the risk of secondary inflation, and the US dollar is gaining strength, which may negatively impact precious metals and cryptocurrencies.
The Dollar Strength Index (DXY) reached a 10-month high, indicating growing confidence in the USD compared to other fiat currencies; however, concerns about the surge in demand for the USD potentially impacting Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are not necessarily interconnected.
The U.S. dollar reached a one-week high against other currencies following the release of U.S. consumer prices data, which increased expectations for higher interest rates; safe-haven buying also contributed to the dollar's strength due to escalating Middle East conflict.
Geopolitical tensions, earnings reports, U.S. retail sales data, and speeches by Federal Reserve officials will shape the week ahead in markets, along with oil volatility and economic data from China and the U.K.
