US Dollar Gains as Safe Haven Amid Worries About Cases and Lockdowns

The US dollar has strengthened to trade close to the highest level seen in three weeks as a result of a risk-off mood in markets


Early on Monday, the US dollar has strengthened to trade close to the highest level seen in three weeks as a result of a risk-off mood in markets amid rising fears about a possible second wave of coronavirus across the world. At the time of writing, the US dollar index DXY is trading around 97.66.

The safe haven appeal of the US dollar is back in focus even as commodity currencies trade lower as countries like China and Australia reimpose lockdown restrictions to contain the fresh spread of infections across Beijing and Victoria respectively. In the US as well, Apple announced the closure of 11 of its stores as the number of cases and hospitalizations climbed to record highs.

Other major currencies like the Euro, GBP and the Japanese yen are holding steady against the US dollar for now as markets await fresh economic data releases for cues on movement. This week’s focus is likely to be on PMI releases from several countries which could signal any change in economic activity after the lockdown measures were eased recently.

Later this week, the US dollar could see some moves on the release of the consumer sentiment figures which would reveal the extent of recovery in the economy which reopened recently. Net short bets on the greenback rose to the highest level since 2018, indicating a sense of optimism among investors about economic recovery following the pandemic.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More
Arslan Butt
Index & Commodity Analyst
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.

Related Articles

Comments

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

HFM

Doo Prime

XM

Best Forex Brokers