US Dollar Index (DXY) holds gains above 97.00 ahead of FOMC Minutes

• The US Dollar Index holds above 97.00 as traders await key US data and FOMC minutes.
• Markets price in nearly 60 bps of Fed easing in 2026, with June seen as the first likely cut.
• Technical outlook shows short-term stabilisation, but broader downtrend remains intact below key SMAs.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback's value against a basket of six major currencies, holds steady on Wednesday as traders position ahead of key US economic releases. At the time of writing, the index trades near 97.29, up roughly 0.20% on the day.

The upcoming data could offer fresh short-term direction for the US Dollar. US Durable Goods Orders fell 1.4% in December, a smaller decline than the 2.0% expected, following November’s strong 5.4% rise. Excluding Transportation, orders increased 0.9%, up from 0.5% previously.

Traders now turn their attention to Industrial Production data and the FOMC Meeting Minutes due later in the American session

The Greenback is showing signs of stabilisation after the latest US labour data dampened expectations of near-term Fed interest rate cuts. While softer inflation figures have reinforced the view that the Fed could resume monetary policy easing in the second half of the year.

Markets are currently pricing in nearly 60 basis points of easing in 2026, with the first rate cut likely in June, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.

Beyond monetary policy, structural headwinds remain a drag on sentiment, limiting any meaningful recovery attempts in the US Dollar. Major central banks are reducing their USD holdings amid concerns over US President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade policies and attacks on the Fed's independence.

This has weakened confidence in US policy and raised questions about the Dollar’s role as the world’s main reserve currency.

From a technical standpoint, the near-term picture has improved after the Dollar Index rebounded from four-year lows near 95.56 touched in late January. However, the broader downtrend remains intact as DXY continues to trade below key moving averages.

The 21-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) slides beneath the 100-day SMA, and both trend lower, maintaining a bearish bias. On the upside, the 21-day SMA, currently around 97.19, is capping immediate upside attempts. A sustained move above this level would expose the 98.00 psychological mark, which now acts as support-turned-resistance and remains a key hurdle for bulls.

On the downside, initial support is seen near 96.50. A decisive break below this level could pave the way for a retest of the four-year lows and potentially signal an extension of the prevailing downtrend.

The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) shows the MACD line nudging above the Signal line near the zero level, with the histogram turning slightly positive, hinting at fading bearish pressure. Meanwhile, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) prints 45.84, below 50, keeping momentum soft.