The dollar index (DXY00) rose by +0.04% on Friday. The dollar recovered from a 6-week low on Friday and posted modest gains as higher T-note yields strengthened the dollar’s interest rate differentials. The dollar also found support on stronger-than-expected US economic news, including the Q2 employment cost index, the Jul MNI Chicago PMI, and the University of Michigan US Jul consumer sentiment index. In addition, Friday’s +1% increase in WTI crude oil prices raises inflation expectations and could prompt the Fed to tighten monetary policy, a supportive factor for the dollar.
Hawkish comments on Friday from Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan were supportive of the dollar when she said, “Without any policy restraint, inflation will likely continue to trend above target until there’s an unanticipated shock. Modest action in the near term would reduce the likelihood of needing to take sharper action later.”
