Dollar Extends Falls after Weaker-than-expected US Producer Prices

US Dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/File Photo
US Dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/File Photo
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Dollar Extends Falls after Weaker-than-expected US Producer Prices

US Dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/File Photo
US Dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/File Photo

The US dollar extended losses against the euro and yen on Thursday after yet another data showing softer-than-expected inflation in the world's largest economy, suggesting the Federal Reserve could increase the pace of its easing cycle.

The dollar dropped 0.95% against the yen to 143.29 yen , while the euro surged more than 1% to $1.1624 .

US producer prices last month rose just 0.1%, less than the expected 0.2% rise.

According to Reuters, the dollar has sunk to its lowest in three years as rapidly changing US trade policy unsettles markets and expectations build for Federal Reserve rate cuts, fuelling outflows from the world's biggest economy.
With the dollar down almost 10% against a basket of major currencies this year, other countries around the globe are grappling with unanticipated FX moves that are having a knock-on impact on economic growth and inflation.

 

 

 

 

 



Gold Gains over 1% as Dollar, Yields Ease; Spotlight on Trade

A gold seller arranges gold bracelets at a gold shop in Bangkok's Chinatown, Thailand, January 27, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/ File Photo
A gold seller arranges gold bracelets at a gold shop in Bangkok's Chinatown, Thailand, January 27, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/ File Photo
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Gold Gains over 1% as Dollar, Yields Ease; Spotlight on Trade

A gold seller arranges gold bracelets at a gold shop in Bangkok's Chinatown, Thailand, January 27, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/ File Photo
A gold seller arranges gold bracelets at a gold shop in Bangkok's Chinatown, Thailand, January 27, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/ File Photo

Gold prices gained over 1% on Monday as the dollar and US bond yields weakened amid uncertainty over trade talks ahead of a US deadline of August 1 for countries to strike deals or face more tariffs.

Spot gold was up 1.2% at $3,390.79 per ounce at 9:52 ET (1352 GMT). US gold futures were up 1.3% to $3,402.40.

The US dollar index was down 0.4%, making dollar-denominated gold more affordable for buyers using other currencies, while benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields hit a more than one-week low, Reuters reported.

"With the August 1st deadline looming, it brings a level of uncertainty to the market and that certainly is supportive," said David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures.

The European Union is exploring a broader set of possible counter-measures against the US as prospects for an acceptable trade agreement with Washington fade, according to EU diplomats.

On the interest rate front, traders are pricing about a 63% chance of a rate cut in September, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the entire Federal Reserve needed to be examined as an institution and whether it had been successful.

Talk of earlier than expected U.S. rate cuts is building, with speculation around a possible replacement of Fed Chair Jerome Powell and reshaping of the Fed adding to market jitters, Meger said.

Gold is considered a hedge against uncertainty and tends to perform well in a low interest rate environment.

Data showed that the world's leading gold consumer, China, brought in 63 metric tons of the precious metal last month, the lowest amount since January. Its imports of platinum in June fell 6.1% from the prior month.

Spot silver gained 1.8% to $38.86 per ounce, platinum rose 2.2% to $1,453.17 and palladium was 3.5% higher at $1,284.46.