Financial markets are still basking in the afterglow of the unexpectedly robust labor report from the U.S. Department of Labor which was released last Thursday, even after a foreshortened workweek as the result of the Independence Day holiday. Analysts in Tokyo say that the jobs data confirmed that the U.S. economic recovery remains strong and on track. Nonetheless, analysts don’t believe that will change the Federal Reserve’s direction at least in regard to the current low interest rates, though quantitative easing is likely to continue to be reduced.
As a result, the J.S. Dollar strengthened and maintained positive momentum in Asia, with the U.S. Dollar Index holding at 80.305 .DXY, holding only a few pips away from Thursday’s 1-week high of 80.315. DXY, while backing away from a 2-month trough that was struck last Tuesday. Investors use the Dollar Index to measure the greenback’s relative weight against several major currencies. The USD/JPY moved higher to 102.10 Yen, remaining close to the Thursday’s high of 102.27 Yen in the wake of the jobs report; thus far, the U.S. Dollar has maintained nearly all of its 0.7% weekly gain.
Euro Feels Pressure from ECB Comments
The EUR/USD was down, trading at $1.35875 and analysts believe that it will remain under pressure and close to the recently struck 1-week trough after one ECB official reiterated the need for low interest rates over an extended period, even while pointing out the likelihood of a divergence in monetary policy between it and the U.K. and U.S. as conditions improve and interest rates are hiked.