- DXY trades near the 104.20 zone after mixed reaction to PMI and Job Openings data.
- Manufacturing activity contracts and hiring slows, keeping stagflation risks in play.
- Resistance seen around 104.84 with support clustering near 104.13.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US Dollar against a basket of currencies, trades near the 104.20 area on Tuesday, showing little directional bias after a series of soft US economic data releases. A weaker-than-expected ISM Manufacturing PMI print, a decline in Job Openings, and cautious Fed commentary paint a murky outlook for the Greenback. Despite modest gains, the technical backdrop remains fragile as traders look ahead to further macro drivers later this week.
Daily digest market movers: US Dollar steadies as cracks widen in data
- US ISM Manufacturing PMI fell to 49 in March from 50.3 in February, missing the 49.5 forecast.
- The sector’s Employment Index dropped to 44.7, its lowest since last July, signaling a faster pace of job cuts.
- The Prices Paid Index surged to 69.4 from 62.4, pointing to renewed inflationary pressure amid tariff-linked supply issues.
- Chair of ISM’s Business Survey Committee said demand remains confusing for businesses with destaffing and production cuts ongoing.
- US JOLTS Job Openings dropped to 7.56 million in February, below expectations and confirming labor market softening.
- Total hires and separations remained broadly unchanged at 5.4 million and 5.3 million, respectively.
- Fed’s Barkin warned that current data is hard to read, calling it “wrapped in a thick fog.”
- Despite declining Job Openings, the Fed’s updated SEP projects a stable Unemployment Rate near 4.4% in 2025.
- Currency markets appear less reactive to tariffs, focusing more on signs of economic stagnation or contraction.
- Traders are increasingly cautious ahead of Friday’s Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report.
- CME data shows low odds of a May rate cut, but dovish pressure could build with further data disappointments.
- The DXY continues to drift between 104.00 and 105.00 as the market searches for conviction.
- Risk sentiment remains fragile with traders wary of additional downside in equities and bonds.
Technical analysis
The US Dollar Index is posting modest gains on Tuesday, but the broader technical outlook remains bearish. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) still signals a potential bullish crossover, yet longer-term indicators such as the 100-day and 200-day Simple Moving Averages (SMA), as well as the 30-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), continue to flash sell signals.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 76.92, alongside stochastic readings, points to overbought conditions, while the Awesome Oscillator remains neutral. The 20-day SMA offers mild bullish support. Resistance is located at 104.435, 104.841 and 104.847, while support lies near 104.169, 104.165 and 104.128.
Tariffs FAQs
Tariffs are customs duties levied on certain merchandise imports or a category of products. Tariffs are designed to help local producers and manufacturers be more competitive in the market by providing a price advantage over similar goods that can be imported. Tariffs are widely used as tools of protectionism, along with trade barriers and import quotas.
Although tariffs and taxes both generate government revenue to fund public goods and services, they have several distinctions. Tariffs are prepaid at the port of entry, while taxes are paid at the time of purchase. Taxes are imposed on individual taxpayers and businesses, while tariffs are paid by importers.
There are two schools of thought among economists regarding the usage of tariffs. While some argue that tariffs are necessary to protect domestic industries and address trade imbalances, others see them as a harmful tool that could potentially drive prices higher over the long term and lead to a damaging trade war by encouraging tit-for-tat tariffs.
During the run-up to the presidential election in November 2024, Donald Trump made it clear that he intends to use tariffs to support the US economy and American producers. In 2024, Mexico, China and Canada accounted for 42% of total US imports. In this period, Mexico stood out as the top exporter with $466.6 billion, according to the US Census Bureau. Hence, Trump wants to focus on these three nations when imposing tariffs. He also plans to use the revenue generated through tariffs to lower personal income taxes.
