By ForexTime
- USDInd now trading at lowest since end-July
- Holiday season tends to see lighter trading activity
- Still, today’s US inflation data release could trigger a pre-Christmas move for the greenback
- Softer-than-expected PCE deflators may send USDInd sharply lower
The dollar has made fresh cycle lows as markets head into the holiday period and a time of thin liquidity and volumes.
That means price action can be whippy with little rhyme or reason for the moves. Many big trading desks have wound up their positions, so staffing levels and activity are much lighter than normal.
The most important data release today will be the US November Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE).
Consensus expects the Fed’s favoured inflation measure to have remained steady at +0.2% month-on-month (November 2023 vs. October 2023).
The year-on-year (November 2023 vs. November 2022) figure is expected to ease lower to 2.8%, and 3.3% for the Core PCE Deflator; both lower by 0.2 percentage points than October’s year-on-year prints.
A softer than expected PCE Deflator report could see the dollar wave decisively goodbye to support around 102 and move sharply lower.
After all, there is currently a 14% chance of a rate cut at the first FOMC meeting of the year in late January, which rises to above 94.5% at its mid-March decision.
However, a surprise surge in inflationary pressures may force markets to push back bets for Fed rate cuts in 2024, while could offer some short-term relief for the US dollar.

Free Reports:
Get our Weekly Commitment of Traders Reports - See where the biggest traders (Hedge Funds and Commercial Hedgers) are positioned in the futures markets on a weekly basis.
Sign Up for Our Stock Market Newsletter – Get updated on News, Charts & Rankings of Public Companies when you join our Stocks Newsletter
Article by ForexTime
ForexTime Ltd (FXTM) is an award winning international online forex broker regulated by CySEC 185/12 www.forextime.com

- The diplomatic deadlock between the US and Iran is undermining investors’ appetite for risk Apr 23, 2026
- EUR/USD Falls for Third Day as Geopolitics and Strong Dollar Dictate Terms Apr 23, 2026
- Negotiations between the US and Iran have failed. Oil prices are back above 90 dollars per barrel Apr 22, 2026
- USD/JPY Pulls Higher: Yen Doubts Bank of Japan Apr 22, 2026
- NZD and CAD strengthen amid rising inflationary pressure Apr 21, 2026
- Pound Declines Amid Geopolitics and Political Risks Apr 21, 2026
- EUR/USD Starts the Week Higher, but the Outlook Remains Unstable Apr 20, 2026
- The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain Apr 20, 2026
- The CHF exchange rate has reached a 15‑year high – the SNB signaled readiness for active currency interventions Apr 17, 2026
- USD/JPY in Positive Territory: Yen Erases All Weekly Gains Apr 17, 2026