Why the Dollar Isn’t Falling Despite Rate Cut Hopes
James Stanley, FOREX.com Senior Strategist, assesses the U.S. dollar’s resilience despite rising market expectations for a September Fed rate cut.
Key Takeaways
U.S. dollar holding higher lows despite dovish Fed expectations
Past rate cuts did not lead to sustained dollar weakness
Technical setups in GBP and EUR offer key trading opportunities
Market Background and Data Drivers
Stanley notes that the dollar’s current position reflects a mix of macroeconomic signals and political pressure. CPI data shows inflation holding at 2.7% headline and rising to 3.1% core, while the NFP report’s revisions stirred recession fears. President Trump’s repeated calls for rate cuts have intensified expectations, with markets fully pricing in a September cut.
Historical Parallels and Fed Policy
Looking back to September 18 last year, Stanley highlights how the Fed’s 50bps cut coincided with the dollar setting a low before rallying into January, even as further cuts followed. This, he argues, shows that rate cuts do not necessarily weaken the dollar or lower long-term yields.
Technical Outlook Across Currencies
Stanley sees a balanced approach as essential. For USD weakness, he favours GBP/USD, which has recovered above 1.35 after holding key support zones. For USD strength, he is tracking EUR/USD, noting critical Fibonacci levels and lower high structures that could validate a bearish case if they hold.
Implications for Traders
Stanley warns that while markets expect a dovish Fed through year-end, the dollar’s resilience and mean-reversion tendencies in FX suggest traders should prepare for multiple outcomes. He emphasises the importance of tracking both macro data and technical setups as the September decision approaches.
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---- Written by Frederic Guetin, StoneX TV Producer
---- Expert: James Stanley, FOREX.com Senior Strategist
Currencies
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