Dollar Steady, Markets Hold Their Breath for NFP
The US dollar is set for a third straight daily rise on Thursday, but trading remains cautious as investors position ahead of Friday’s Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report. Recent US releases sent mixed signals: the labor market appears to be cooling, while services activity surprised to the upside—keeping the Fed outlook finely balanced.
Latest levels: DXY ~98.74, EUR/USD 1.1679, GBP/USD ~1.3456, USD/JPY ~156.7, AUD/USD ~0.6698, NZD/USD ~0.5754.
Markets continue to interpret the labor picture as “no hire, no fire,” while stronger services data suggests the economy ended 2025 on firmer footing—leaving rate-cut expectations in a tug-of-war.
Geopolitical headlines have faded in immediate market impact, but policy risk remains on the radar—especially with a potential ruling tied to global tariffs, which could quickly revive volatility in the dollar.
In Europe, the euro stayed subdued as investors recalibrate around inflation and yields, while in Asia the yen traded in a tight range with traders reluctant to take big bets ahead of key US data. The Australian and New Zealand dollars also moved slightly lower as risk appetite cooled.
Source : Newsmaker.id