Dollar Dips as Fed Rate Hike Concerns Ease

The U.S. dollar tumbled on Friday, falling to its lowest point since June 22, following the release of government data revealing a slowdown in job growth. This unexpected twist has given investors a breather, easing worries about the Federal Reserve’s plans for interest rate hikes.

In a surprise turn of events, the official U.S. nonfarm payrolls report showed that employers added 209,000 new hires in June, falling short of economists’ expectations. Furthermore, May’s figures took a tumble, with a revision down by 33,000 to 306,000.

source: tradingeconomics.com

However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom, as the unemployment rate managed to hold its ground, dipping from 3.7% in May to 3.6% in June. Additionally, average hourly earnings remained perky with a 0.4% rise, maintaining the same stride as May.

Fed Rate Hike Forecasts: Tweaked but Still on Track

While traders are betting their hats on a more than 90% chance of a quarter-percentage-point rate hike by the Fed in late July, expectations for another hike in September took a slight stumble, according to the ever-watchful CME Group’s FedWatch tool.

Dollar Drops, Yen Pops

The dollar stumbled and fumbled after the labor market data was revealed, leaving some traders wondering if the Fed might consider an earlier rate cut than previously anticipated. As a result, the yen swooped in, jumping sharply against the dollar. The dollar index took a punch, falling 0.82%.

Despite the temporary respite from Fed rate hike concerns, investors remain cautious as they cast their gaze toward the horizon. The week ahead promises a double serving of economic delicacies, with key U.S. inflation readings set to tantalize the market’s taste buds alongside the grand opening of the second-quarter earnings season.