US Dollar Sinks Near 6-Week Low Amid Japan Intervention Fears
The US Dollar Index (DXY) is struggling to hold its early recovery on Friday as suspected Japanese intervention and the possibility of direct action by the United States weigh on the Greenback. The index trades around 99.96, easing from an intraday high of 100.45 and hovering near its lowest level in six weeks.
The sharp sell-off of the US Dollar on Thursday was triggered by a surge in the Japanese Yen across the board. According to Reuters, citing a market source, Japanese authorities likely conducted a large-scale USD-selling, JPY-buying intervention during American trading hours.
Concerns about potential US Treasury intervention in the Yen market intensified on Friday after Reuters reported that the US Treasury had informed several banks that it may intervene in the Yen market and advised them to 'stand ready for future action.'
The Federal Reserve's shift towards limited forward guidance is also weighing on the US Dollar. Analysts at Brown Brothers Harriman argue that 'the USD rally from May has run its course, with DXY poised to retreat back into a 96-100 range.' They warn that 'the tailwind to USD from resilient US economic activity is outweighed by Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's failure to turn tough inflation rhetoric into a credible policy, increasing the risk the Fed falls behind the curve in containing inflation.'
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at 3.50%-3.75%. Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan said on Friday, 'Without any policy restraint, inflation will likely continue to trend above target until there's an unanticipated shock.'