US Dollar Outlook Bullish as US Economy Slows, Inflation Remains High
US Dollar Currency Report September
Derbyshire, UK – September 26, 2023 - This is the currency report for the US Dollar and is intended to be a reference aid for your own analysis and trade planning. This edition contains a refreshed format for readability and now includes retail sales data and non-farm payrolls. The next update will be after the GDP report on Thursday, September 28th, or before if any significant event occurs.
Decisions to trade are made at your own monetary risk.
US Dollar Outlook Bullish as US Economy Slows, Inflation Remains High
The Fed kept interest rates at 5.50% in September, but said it is still committed to bringing inflation back to 2%. The US economy is growing at a slower rate but remains strong. Macroeconomic signals suggest a bullish outlook for the US dollar, as inflation remains above target which will require rates to remain higher for longer. Geopolitical events, such as the war in Ukraine and the US-China trade war, are also adding uncertainty and putting upward support on the value of the dollar.
Monetary Policy
Interest Rates Held But No Cuts in Sight
The seven members of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) set monetary policy, including the Federal Funds rate (interest rate). The Federal Funds rate is the interest rate that banks pay to borrow money from other banks. This rate affects the interest that banks charge their borrowers.
The FOMC meets to set monetary policy eight times a year, the latest was September 20th and the next is on November 1st.
The interest rate of the US was held at the September meeting after being hiked by 0.25% in July and throughout most of the previous twelve meetings. This indicates that the Federal Reserve is hawkish but has become cautious as inflation has been falling quickly and they want to avoid affecting growth. Trading Economics forecast 5.50% to be the peak rate and 2024 to see cuts of 0.25%.
Key points of the Federal Reserve’s FOMC September 2023 meeting:
The economy is expanding at a solid pace, but job growth has slowed in recent months.
Inflation remains elevated.
The Fed is committed to returning inflation to its 2% objective.
The Fed decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 5-1/4 to 5-1/2 percent.
The Fed will continue to monitor incoming information and adjust the stance of monetary policy as appropriate.
The Fed is keeping interest rates high in an effort to bring down inflation and is aware that this could slow economic growth, but it believes that it is necessary to bring inflation under control.
Sources: The Federal Reserve, Trading Economics, FXStreet
The Economy is Performing Slightly Better than Forecasted
The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) makes economic forecasts four times a year. The most recent was at their September meeting and they will be updated in December.
Changes in Real GDP (annualised) has an optimistic outlook compared to the FOMC’s forecast and recession risks appear minimal.
Annual PCE has an indifferent outlook compared to the FOMC’s forecast and is on track to come in as expected.
Unemployment has an indifferent outlook compared to the FOMC’s forecast although it could climb a little higher than expected.
The Federal Funds Rate is on track to match the FOMCs’ forecast and is likely at the peak with small cuts beginning to be priced in for 2024.
Macroeconomics Signals a Bullish Outlook for the US Dollar
Outlook for Growth Shows that the Cooling Economy Could Remain Strong
The US GDP quarterly rate report measures the change in value of goods and services produced in the US over a given quarter compared with the previous and then annualised. The latest data covers the Q2 period and was published on August 30th by the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the next version is out on September 28th.
The quarterly rate of GDP in the US has been falling over the past four months, although recently stabilised but is a continuation of the general decline seen over the previous year. This indicates that the economy is slowing but is strong enough to avoid a recession.
The Q2 growth rate of 2.10% was a little higher than Q1’s 2.00%, and bucked the recent downtrend. The forecasting model predicts Q3 at 2.20% growth during Q3, which would be above the recent downtrend and suggests an optimistic outlook. Trading Economics are far more optimistic, with a forecast of 5.9% in Q3.
Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Trading Economics, FXStreet
Outlook for Inflation Signals a Tailwind for Growth
The US inflation rate report measures the change in value of a basket of goods and services in the US over a given month compared with the previous. The latest data covers the August period and was published on September 13th by the Bureau of Labour Statistics and the next version is out on October 12th.
US prices have been steadily rising over the past four months, after falling rapidly during the previous year. This suggests that the economy is speeding up, as demand increases and businesses raise prices.
August's inflation rate of 3.70% was significantly higher than July's 3.20%. The forecasting model predicts inflation of 3.7% for September, which would see prices stabilised, suggesting that the rate of inflation is steady. Trading Economics is more optimistic, with a forecast of 3.5%.
Sources: Bureau of Labour Statistics, Trading Economics, FXStreet
Outlook for Retail Sales Signals a Light Headwind to Growth
The US retail sales report measures the change in value of aggregated retail goods and services sales over a given month compared with the previous. The latest data covers the August period and was published on September 14th by the Census Bureau and the next version is out on October 17th.
US sales have steadily increased over the past four months, and beats the slight uptrend seen over the previous year (although has been volatile). This is a sign of a growing economy, as consumers increase spending, perhaps due to higher earnings but also the high inflation rate.
August sales (0.6%) showed a slight improvement over July (0.5%). The forecasting model predicts sales of 0.6% for September, which would see the uptrend stabilise. Trading Economics are less optimistic with their forecast of 0.1%.
Sources: Census Bureau, Trading Economics, FXStreet
Outlook for NFP Signals a Headwind to Growth
The US non-farm payrolls (NFP) report measures the change in the number of paid workers not employed by farms (due to seasonality) over a given month compared with the previous. The latest data covers the August period and was published on September 1st by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the next version is out on October 6th.
US NFP has steadily increased over the past four months, although continues to be in line with the general downtrend seen over the previous year. This is a sign of a shrinking economy and reduced investment, as business’s slow their rate of growth to cut costs in this era of expensive borrowing.
August numbers (187K) showed a slight improvement over July (157K). The forecasting model 190K for September, which would shallow out the downtrend. Trading Economics are less optimistic with their forecast of 150K.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Trading Economics, FXStreet
Outlook for Unemployment Signals a Light Tailwind to Growth
The US unemployment rate report measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force over a given month. The latest data covers the July period and was published on September 12th by the Office of National Statistics and the next version is out on October 17th.
US unemployment has been historically low and stable over the past four months, matching the stability seen over the previous year. This is a sign of a healthy economy.
August unemployment of 3.8% was higher than June’s 3.5% and came just above the stable trend. The forecasting model predicts unemployment at 3.7% for September which would be a slight improvement and maintains the stable trend. Trading Economics forecast 3.8%.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Trading Economics, FXStreet
Geopolitical Events Influence a Bullish Outlook for the US Dollar
Monetary Policy Outlook Causes Mixed Views
As inflation in the US stabilises, the Fed now intends to hold rates rather than further hikes. This makes borrowing less risky although it remains expensive. This could improve the outlook for growth, increase the appetite for stocks, and reduce the demand for the dollar as a safe haven. Investors are looking even further ahead and may be preparing to price in cuts at any sign of a less than hawkish comment from Fed officials.
Russian Invasion of Ukraine Adds Uncertainty
On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War which began in 2014. The invasion is the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II and has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties on both sides. The invasion has also caused a humanitarian crisis, with millions of Ukrainians displaced from their homes. The international community has condemned the invasion and imposed sanctions on Russia. The International Criminal Court is investigating possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russian forces.
Recent Key Events
June 2023: The Ukrainian counteroffensive in June 2023 made significant progress, with Ukraine liberating villages and reclaiming territory in the eastern Donbas region. The Wagner Group's rebellion against the Russian government was a major setback for Russia.
August 2023: Ukraine counteroffensive slowed by millions of mines laid by Russia. Ukrainian drones damage the Russian landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak.
September: An attack on Russian naval targets in Sevastopol damages the Black Sea fleet. Several oil and gas drilling platforms on the Black Sea held by Russia since 2015 have been retaken.
The war in Ukraine is having a negative impact on the global economy, including the value of the US dollar. The war has caused energy prices to soar and disrupted supply chains, which are putting upward pressure on inflation and increasing demand for US dollars as a safe-haven.
China-United States Trade War Adds Uncertainty
The US and China have been engaged in a trade war since 2018, with each side imposing tariffs on the other's goods in an attempt to force changes in trade practices. The trade war has had a negative impact on both economies.
Recent Key Events
December 2022: WTO ruled against US tariffs on steel, aluminium, and Hong Kong origin marking. The US is in breach of global trade rules for its tariffs on steel and aluminium, as well as its origin marking requirement for products imported from Hong Kong. The US has disputed the WTO rulings and has not taken any steps to comply.
January 2023: EU and US announce joint effort to block sale of advanced semiconductor chip technology to China.
February 2023: China expands Unreliable Entities List to include US defence contractors.
June 2023: US Secretary of State visits China, seeks to clarify US economic stance, but Chinese officials reject explanation.
July 2023: US Treasury Secretary criticises China's economic restrictions during visit to Beijing, stresses US goal to expand economic partnership.
Gavin Pearson
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