Dollar Hobbled by Economic Worries; Euro Remains in Favor

US dollar drifted within a tight range on Monday, pressured by lower Treasury yields - Reuters
US dollar drifted within a tight range on Monday, pressured by lower Treasury yields - Reuters
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Dollar Hobbled by Economic Worries; Euro Remains in Favor

US dollar drifted within a tight range on Monday, pressured by lower Treasury yields - Reuters
US dollar drifted within a tight range on Monday, pressured by lower Treasury yields - Reuters

The dollar hovered near a five-month low against major peers on Monday, bruised by President Donald Trump's erratic trade policies and soft economic data, at a time when other currencies, including the euro, benefit from domestic drivers.

The euro was last at $1.0905, up 0.2% on the day, and heading back towards the $1.0947 it hit last week, its highest since October 11.

The Japanese yen was also marginally stronger on the day at 148.48 per dollar, again after hitting its strongest in five months last week at 146.5 to the dollar.

That left the dollar index, which measures the US currency against its six major counterparts, at 103.5, just off its five-month trough of 103.21 reached last Tuesday, Reuters reported.

Currency markets have undergone a shift in recent months, as traders re-evaluate their initial expectations that Trump's economic policies would both support the dollar and cause other currencies to weaken.

In fact the reverse has happened, and analysts at Societe Generale said on Monday that they had changed their currency forecasts "to reflect Germany's planned fiscal changes, the US economy's self-inflicted (relative) fragility, and Japan’s escape from deflation".

They see the euro at $1.13 by year-end and the yen at 139 per dollar.



Gold Hits Another Record as Tensions Flare over Gaza, Trump Tariffs

Jewellery is displayed at the Gold Souk market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo
Jewellery is displayed at the Gold Souk market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo
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Gold Hits Another Record as Tensions Flare over Gaza, Trump Tariffs

Jewellery is displayed at the Gold Souk market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo
Jewellery is displayed at the Gold Souk market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo

Gold hit another record high above $3,000 on Tuesday, with investors seeking the metal as a haven from risk as conflict flared in the Middle East and US President Donald Trump pressed on with tariff plans.

Spot gold hit a peak of $3,028.24 in early trade, and by 0927 was up 0.7% at $3,023.30 an ounce. Prices climbed above $3,000 for the first time on March 14. US gold futures gained 0.9% to $3,032.

"There is a perfect storm of gold-supporting factors," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank. "The latest focus is the Middle East concerns that come on top of economic concerns about the direction of the US."

Bullion, which is considered a hedge against geopolitical and economic instability, has gained more than 14% year-to-date and has struck record highs 14 times this year, according to Reuters.

Israeli airstrikes pounded Gaza, killing 326 people, Palestinian health authorities said on Tuesday, and collapsing a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.

Elsewhere, Donald Trump has floated plans for a series of US tariffs, including a flat 25% duty on steel and aluminium which came into effect in February, as well as reciprocal and sectoral tariffs that he said will be imposed on April 2.

Spotlight was also on the US Federal Reserve and other central bank meetings this week. The Fed has held interest rates steady so far this year after executing three rate cuts in 2024, but the market expects easing to resume in June.

"You have got the FOMC in the US amid quite a chaotic tariff policy backdrop that could send gold potentially even higher if they have a somewhat dovish stance on rates," said Nitesh Shah, commodities strategist at WisdomTree.

ANZ raised its three-month gold price forecast to $3,100 and its six-month forecast to $3,200, while UBS set a price target of $3,200 for this year.

Silver gained 0.6% to $34.03 an ounce, platinum added 0.6% to $1,005.70, and palladium climbed 1.4% to $977.96.