
The dollar index (DXY00) rose to a 3-week high today and is up by +0.15%. Escalation of geopolitical risks in Venezuela boosted safe-haven demand for the dollar after the US captured Venezuelan president Maduro, and US President Trump said the US plans to temporarily "run" Venezuela. Hawkish comments today from Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari were supportive of the dollar, as he said US interest rates may be "close to neutral" for the economy. The dollar fell back from its best level after the USS Dec ISM manufacturing index unexpectedly contracted by the most in fourteen months.
The US Dec ISM manufacturing index unexpectedly fell -0.3 to 47.9, weaker than expectations of an increase to 48.4 and the steepest pace of contraction in 14 months.