The dollar fell on Thursday after data showed US consumer prices rose modestly last month, while initial jobless claims gained in the latest week, reinforcing expectations the Federal Reserve will pause interest rate hikes at the next policy meeting.
The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.2% last month, matching the gain in June, the Labour Department said on Thursday.
The CPI climbed 3.2% in the 12 months through July, up from a 3.0% rise in June, which was the smallest year-on-year gain since March 2021. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, the CPI gained 0.2% in July, the same as the increase in June. In the 12 months through July, core CPI grew 4.7% after rising 4.8% in June.
"Despite the annualised headline CPI rate re-accelerating slightly in July, the gentle 0.2% monthly acceleration for both core and headline CPI should soothe markets and the Fed," said Nathaniel Casey, investment strategist at wealth management firm Evelyn Partners.
"There is still one more inflation and job report to come before the next FOMC meeting on the 20th of September, so while committee members are unlikely to make their next decision from this CPI print alone, it is yet another step in the right direction."
Futures on the benchmark fed funds rate have priced in a pause in rate hikes at the next meeting and for the rest of the year.
The next possible move by the Fed is a rate cut in May 2024, rate futures showed.
Lower US rates will be good news for the rand, as this will make rand assets - which would earn higher rates by comparison - more appealing to global investors looking for yield. After briefly breaking through R19/$ on Wednesday for the first time in more than a month, the rand gained ground to trade at R18.73/$ by early Thursday evening.
A separate report from the Labour Department on Thursday showed initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 21 000 to a seasonally adjusted 248 000 for the week ended August 5. Economists had forecast 230 000 claims for the latest week.
The dollar index was last down 0.5% at 102.01, while the euro rose 0.6% to $1.1040.
The greenback also fell versus the Swiss franc, down 0.5% at 0.8730 francs. The yen, however, was a different story, slumping against major currencies.
Against the yen, the dollar hit a five-week high and was last up 0.3% at 144.205. The euro soared against the yen, hitting its strongest level since August 2008. It was last up 0.8% at 159.06 yen. Analysts had partly attributed the yen's weak trend to higher oil prices, given that Japan is a major oil importer.
"The fact that energy prices have risen for almost seven weeks, that's certainly weighed on the yen," said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG. A break above 145 would open the way potentially to 148, he added.
Additional reporting on the rand by News24.
