
The dollar index (DXY00) today is up by +0.42% at a new 2-year high. Signs of strength in the US labor market are boosting the dollar today after weekly jobless claims unexpectedly fell to an 8-month low. Also, weakness in the euro is boosting the dollar as EUR/USD fell to a 2-year low today on fears that Europe’s export-orientated economies will be hit hard by US trade tariffs from the incoming Trump administration. The dollar added to its gains today after the US Dec S&P manufacturing PMI was revised higher, a sign of economic strength.
US weekly initial unemployment claims unexpectedly fell -9,000 to an 8-month low of 211,000, showing a stronger labor market than expectations of an increase to 221,000.