The dollar index (DXY00) today is down by -0.19%.  The dollar is lower as T-note yields declined on the weaker-than-expected US Jul PPI report, which bolstered the chances for a Fed rate cut at the September FOMC meeting.  Today’s rally in stocks has also reduced liquidity demand for the dollar.

US July PPI final demand eased to +2.2% y/y from +2.7% y/y in June, a smaller increase than expectations of +2.3% y/y.  Also, July PPI ex-food and energy eased to +2.4% y/y from +3.0% y/y in June, better than expectations of +2.6% y/y.

The markets are discounting the chances at 100% for a -25 bp rate cut at the Sep 17-18 FOMC meeting and at 59% for a -50 bp rate cut at that meeting.

EUR/USD (^EURUSD) today is up by +0.22% at a 1-week high.  Dollar weakness today is providing support to the euro.  However, the euro was undercut after the German August ZEW investor confidence survey fell more than expected to a 7-month low. 

The German Aug ZEW expectation of economic growth survey fell -22.6 to a 7-month low of 19.2, weaker than expectations of 34.0.

Swaps are discounting the chances of a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at 99% for the September 12 meeting.

USD/JPY (^USDJPY) today is down by -0.14%.  Japanese economic news today supported the yen after July machine tool orders rose for a third month, and after July PPI rose at the fastest pace in 11 months, a hawkish factor for BOJ policy.  The yen extended its gains against the dollar today after T-note yields fell.  However, today’s +3% surge in the Nikkei Stock Index to a 1-week high reduced safe-haven demand for the yen.

Japan July machine tool orders rose +8.4% y/y, the third consecutive month orders increased.

Japan's July PPI rose +3.0% y/y, the largest increase in 11 months.

Swaps are pricing in the chances for a +10 bp rate hike by the BOJ at 0% for the September 20 meeting and +8% for the October 30-31 meeting.

December gold (GCZ24) today is up +7.30 (+0.29%), and September silver (SIU24) is down -0.298 (-1.06%).   Gold and silver prices today are mixed, with gold climbing to a 1-week high.  Today’s dollar weakness is supportive of metals prices.  Also, lower global bond yields today are bullish for precious metals prices.  In addition, safe-haven demand for precious metals has strengthened as an attack by Iran on Israel may be imminent in retaliation for the recent assassination of a Hamas political leader in Tehran. 

Today's gains in precious metals prices are limited as strength in equity markets has curbed some safe-haven demand for precious metals.  Also, concerns about China’s economy are undercutting industrial metals demand and silver prices.



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