US Dollar Index attracts some sellers below 97.50, US PCE data in focus

FXStreet
Updated
Mitrade
coverImg
Source: DepositPhotos

  • The US Dollar Index trades in negative territory around 97.25 in Friday’s Asian session. 

  • The prospect of Trump announcing the next Fed Chair weighs on the US Dollar as traders bet on US rate cuts.

  • The US economy shrank faster than expected during the first three months of this year. 

The US Dollar Index (DXY), an index of the value of the US Dollar (USD) measured against a basket of six world currencies, remains on the defensive near 97.25, its lowest level in three and a half years during the Asian session on Wednesday. 

US President Donald Trump was considering selecting the next Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair early, fueling fresh bets on US rate cuts. Trump said that he has a list of potential Powell successors down to “three or four people,” without naming the finalists. The concerns over the future independence of the Fed could undermine the US Dollar (USD) against its rivals. 

"For now, expectations President Trump will choose a more dovish chair will keep downward pressure on FOMC pricing and the USD,” said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Meanwhile, financial markets have priced in the possibility of a rate cut at the Fed's next meeting in July to 25%, up from just 12% a week ago, and priced in 64 basis points (bps) of reductions by year-end, up from around 46 bps last week, according to Reuters.

The US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell at an annual rate of 0.5% in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, according to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) on Thursday. This reading came in worse than the previous estimate and the market expectation of -0.2%. The downbeat GDP data contribute to the Greenback’s downside.

Traders will keep an eye on Friday's release of US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) - Price Index data for May, the Fed's preferred inflation measure. If the report shows a stronger-than-expected outcome, this could help limit the USD’s losses in the near term. 

* The content presented above, whether from a third party or not, is considered as general advice only.  This article should not be construed as containing investment advice, investment recommendations, an offer of or solicitation for any transactions in financial instruments.

goTop
quote
Do you find this article useful?
Related Articles
placeholder
Japanese Yen reverses softer Tokyo CPI-inspired intraday lossesThe Japanese Yen (JPY) weakened across the board during the Asian session on Friday in reaction to data showing that consumer inflation in Tokyo slowed sharply in June.
Author  FXStreet
2 hours ago
The Japanese Yen (JPY) weakened across the board during the Asian session on Friday in reaction to data showing that consumer inflation in Tokyo slowed sharply in June.
placeholder
Australian Dollar gains ground as US Dollar struggles amid concerns over Fed independenceThe Australian Dollar (AUD) inches higher on Friday, extending its winning streak for the fifth successive session.
Author  FXStreet
3 hours ago
The Australian Dollar (AUD) inches higher on Friday, extending its winning streak for the fifth successive session.
placeholder
EUR/USD hits 1.1744, nears four-year high as Fed cut bets grow, Trump eyes Powell successorEUR/USD soars to nearly four-year highs on Thursday, extending its rally to five straight days, with the pair clearing the 1.1700 figure for the first time since September 2021.
Author  FXStreet
3 hours ago
EUR/USD soars to nearly four-year highs on Thursday, extending its rally to five straight days, with the pair clearing the 1.1700 figure for the first time since September 2021.
placeholder
NZD/USD gathers strength above 0.6050 amid concerns over Fed independenceThe NZD/USD pair gains ground for the fourth consecutive day near 0.6065 during the early Asian session on Friday.
Author  FXStreet
4 hours ago
The NZD/USD pair gains ground for the fourth consecutive day near 0.6065 during the early Asian session on Friday.
placeholder
GBP/USD continues its march up the charts for a fourth straight dayGBP/USD rose on Thursday, stepping into a fourth straight day of firm gains and clipping 44-month highs near 1.3770.
Author  FXStreet
4 hours ago
GBP/USD rose on Thursday, stepping into a fourth straight day of firm gains and clipping 44-month highs near 1.3770.
Real-time Quote