The US jobs report for February delivered a mixed bag. Nonfarm Payrolls, a key measure of employment growth, surprised on the upside, exceeding expectations. However, wage gains, as reflected in average hourly earnings, came in weaker than anticipated. The unemployment rate also ticked slightly up. Despite the positive job number, the broader market picture remains focused on potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, with some investors still eyeing a move as early as June. This economic data comes as the US Dollar closes out its worst week since December.
The US dollar weakened, nearing 102.60 on Friday and capping off its worst weekly performance since December. This slump comes amid dovish signals from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and a lackluster February jobs report. While the Nonfarm Payrolls figure surprised on the upside, wage growth disappointed, and the unemployment rate ticked higher. Investors remain focused on a potential rate cut as early as June, fueling concerns about a slowing economy and putting further downward pressure on the greenback.
Technical Outlook on the Dollar Index
The US Dollar Index (DXY) has declined since the beginning of March. Today, the market dipped to a critical support level of 102, which also holds psychological significance. However, oversold conditions signaled by technical indicators likely contributed to the swift rebound after the price touched this key level. These oversold signals could present an opportunity for buyers to strengthen their positions and potentially push the DXY back above 103 in the coming week.
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