financetom
Business
financetom
/
Business
/
Dollar sags to one-month low vs yen as payrolls data looms
News World Market Environment Technology Personal Finance Politics Retail Business Economy Cryptocurrency Forex Stocks Market Commodities
Dollar sags to one-month low vs yen as payrolls data looms
Sep 6, 2024 1:23 PM

TOKYO (Reuters) -The dollar slid to a one-month trough versus the yen and a one-week low on the euro on Friday, as a mixed bag of U.S. job market indicators stirred caution ahead of a crucial monthly payrolls report later in the day.

A report on Thursday showed the number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits declined last week as layoffs remained low. That helped allay fears that the labour market was deteriorating rapidly, after figures released the previous day showed private jobs growth slumped to a 3-1/2-year low in August.

Traders currently see 41% odds for a super-sized 50-basis point (bp) Fed interest rate cut on Sept. 18, versus 59% probability of a quarter-point reduction, according to the CME Group's FedWatch Tool. A day earlier, wagers on the larger cut stood at 44%, but a week ago it was 30%.

The mixed data leaves traders guessing before Friday's payrolls print, with economists surveyed by Reuters predicting an increase of 165,000 jobs in August, up from a 114,000 rise in July.

"Payrolls number will likely come out on the weaker side, as most economists submitted their forecasts last week without seeing these leading indicators," said Shoki Omori, chief Japan desk strategist at Mizuho Securities, pointing to the private jobs report in particular.

"I see a negative outcome, (but) of course if the overall print comes out strong, recent history tells us that USD/JPY can jump up roughly 80c," to around 144 based on current levels, he said.

What the Fed makes of the payrolls numbers will be almost immediately obvious, with both Governor Christopher Waller and New York Fed President John Williams separately taking to the podium in the final Fedspeak before the blackout period begins ahead of this month's policy gathering.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled the central bank's focus was shifting from fighting inflation to preventing deterioration in the jobs market when he strongly endorsed an imminent start to the monetary easing cycle at the annual economic conference in Jackson Hole last month.

"Recent labor data has fanned fears of labor market softening (and) the August payroll report could be a 'make or break' moment," TD Securities analysts including head of global strategy Rich Kelly wrote in a report.

However, TD expects 205,000 jobs were added in August, setting up a quarter point cut this month, and triggering a dollar rebound.

"There is simply lots of bad news priced into the USD, increasing the risks that a string of good news will kick-start a sizeable correction."

The dollar dropped 0.7% to 187.63 yen as of 0540 GMT, the weakest level since Aug. 5. A continued slide in long-term U.S. Treasury yields to a one-month trough of 3.708% heaped pressure on the currency pair.

The euro held its ground at $1.11145, just below Thursday's high of $1.11195, the strongest level since Aug. 29.

Sterling was little changed at $1.3172, sticking close to the overnight top at $1.31855, its highest since Aug. 30.

The dollar index, which gauges the currency against the yen, euro, sterling and three other major peers, slipped 0.1% to 100.94, a one-week low. For the week, it has dropped close to 0.8%.

The Swiss franc, which like the yen is a traditional haven currency, strengthened about 0.26% to 0.8422 per dollar.

The risk-sensitive Australian dollar eased 0.24% to $0.6725.

Leading cryptocurrency bitcoin rose 0.8% to $56,520, attempting to recover from its slump to a nearly one-month low of $55,575.78 this week.

Comments
Welcome to financetom comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Related Articles >
FOCUS-Next generation weight loss drugs aim to save muscle
FOCUS-Next generation weight loss drugs aim to save muscle
Feb 19, 2025
* Veru ( VERU ), Eli Lilly ( LLY ), Regeneron, among leaders in muscle-preserving drug development * FDA approval criteria for these drugs remains unclear * Doctors, analysts focused on health benefits beyond weight loss * Consulting firm forecasts annual sales of up to $5 billion for the new drugs collectively By Bhanvi Satija and Ludwig Burger Feb 19...
Chevron staffers absorb long-awaited layoffs as CEO pledges accountability
Chevron staffers absorb long-awaited layoffs as CEO pledges accountability
Feb 19, 2025
HOUSTON (Reuters) -During an internal town hall meeting last week, roughly 40,000 Chevron employees were shown a video touting the oil giant's success in Colorado as the largest oil and gas producer in the state. Less than 30 minutes later, executives announced plans to cut up to 20% of the global workforce.  Despite progress in safety and financial performance, Chevron...
Walmart faces some tariff challenges as Wall Street awaits record-breaking sales
Walmart faces some tariff challenges as Wall Street awaits record-breaking sales
Feb 19, 2025
* Walmart ( WMT ) annual sales seen rising 5% to record, LSEG estimates * Analysts see revenue growth slowing to 4% in current year * Great Value in-house brand sales seen hinting at tariff effects By Siddharth Cavale NEW YORK, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Penny-pinching Walmart ( WMT ) shoppers focus much more on getting the lowest prices than...
Trump Signs Order to Claim Control Over Independent Agencies
Trump Signs Order to Claim Control Over Independent Agencies
Feb 19, 2025
05:56 AM EST, 02/19/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that seeks to gain control over independent government agencies, the White House said Tuesday. The order requires all agencies, including agencies that operate with some independence of the White House such as the Federal Communications Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal...
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved