Dollar Struggles as Inflation Data Looms
The US Dollar (USD) struggled to hold its ground against the Swiss Franc (CHF) on Thursday, despite expectations of rising inflation data. The USD/CHF pair returned above 0.8100 after trimming losses earlier in the day.
The divergence in monetary policies between the Swiss National Bank and the Federal Reserve is weighing heavily on the CHF, with investors expecting the SNB to maintain its dovish stance. In contrast, the Fed is widely expected to raise interest rates next week.
Oil prices surged past $100 a barrel, pushing global yields higher and threatening to tip the economy into recession. This has led to increased inflation concerns and put pressure on the USD ahead of the US inflation data release.
According to DBS Group Research's Philip Wee, 'a hotter US inflation print should typically lift the USD', but given the current backdrop of strong US data, higher Fed hike odds, and elevated energy prices, 'leaves room for near-term limited USD gains,' which he sees as an opportunity for markets to get back into the underlying USD debasement trade.'