US Dollar Slips Ahead of NFP Release, Rise in Unemployment Claims Weigh

Early on Friday, the US dollar is trading bearish against its peers ahead of the release of the much awaited NFP figures later in the day

Written by: Arslan Butt • Friday, May 8, 2020 • 1 min read

• Last updated: Friday, May 8, 2020

US Dollar Slips Ahead of NFP Release, Rise in Unemployment Claims Weigh

Early on Friday, the US dollar is trading bearish against its peers ahead of the release of the much awaited NFP figures later in the session, even as the risk sentiment in the market improves and sends traders towards riskier currencies and away from the safe haven of the greenback. At the time of writing, the US dollar index DXY is trading around 99.68.

Markets are likely to focus their attention on the NFP figures releasing today which should offer clarity on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and resulting lockdowns on employment in the US over the previous month. Economists have forecast a decline of 22 million jobs for the month of April, the highest ever drop on record and far more severe than the 800k decline seen during the 2009 financial crisis.

The US dollar also weakened in the previous session following the release of the latest weekly jobless claims data from the country. Over 3.1 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits during the week ending on May 2, slightly higher than economists’ forecast of 3 million. Since the lockdown was announced in late March, over 33.5 million workers have filed for unemployment in the US.

The improvement in the market sentiment over expectations of economies reopening is also driving the US dollar weaker. In recent weeks, the dollar had gained preference as a safe haven currency due to the rising uncertainty about the economic impact of the pandemic, but with economic activity restarting, traders are moving away from the dollar and back towards riskier currencies.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More

Arslan Butt

Lead Markets Analyst – Multi-Asset (FX, Commodities, Crypto)

Arslan Butt serves as the Lead Commodities and Indices Analyst, bringing a wealth of expertise to the field. With an MBA in Behavioral Finance and active progress towards a Ph.D., Arslan possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics. His professional journey includes a significant role as a senior analyst at a leading brokerage firm, complementing his extensive experience as a market analyst and day trader. Adept in educating others, Arslan has a commendable track record as an instructor and public speaker. His incisive analyses, particularly within the realms of cryptocurrency and forex markets, are showcased across esteemed financial publications such as ForexCrunch, InsideBitcoins, and EconomyWatch, solidifying his reputation in the financial community.