3_dollarM

Can the USD break down even before key US data this week?

Forex 5 minutes to read
Picture of John Hardy
John J. Hardy

Global Head of Macro Strategy

Summary:  The US dollar chopped back and forth last week and starts the week already threatening to break lower, which it may succeed in doing as long as the key US macro data fails to push back against the weak US dollar narrative. Most pivotal will be the May US jobs report on Friday.


Note: This is marketing material.

Latest market moves:
The US dollar has sold off as the week gets underway, with the latest sense that US-China relations are souring after Trump claimed that China is violating the terms of their agreement and China doing likewise with some stern language out overnight on US behavior. The ongoing embargo on rare earth metals exports may be the source of concern from the US side. As well, Trump doubled the steel- and aluminum tariffs to 50%, a move that might simply be a petulant response to a journalist making him aware of the “TACO trade” (Trump Always Chickens Out, an expression coined by an FT reporter that has circulated everywhere since) late last week, which the president found extremely offensive. Everything moving back in the direction of trade- and geopolitical tensions has risk sentiment stumbling into the new month and as noted, the USD on the defensive.

Chart: EURUSD
After a false break higher early last week, EURUSD sold off mid-week, accelerated by a story that a US court ruled against some of Trump’s executive orders on tariffs. The strong rebound and now follow through higher to even breaking above resistance this morning is dramatically heating up the bullish case here, and where we land by Friday on the close could set us up for the next significant leg higher in EURUSD, possibly even challenging 1.2000. The ECB on Thursday may only prove a mild distraction relative to the stream of US data and overall pressure on the dollar this week.

02_06_2025_EURUSD
Source: Saxo
  • Big bad bill for the US dollar?
    Many are noting something in the House version of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” that has been there all along, but is getting more coverage now: section 899. This section of the bill threatens foreign actors that implement tax policies that are seen as “unfair” or “discriminatory” and leaves wide room for interpretation, but is basically read as providing the means to tax foreign capital investing in any US assets if countries, for example, move against US info-tech giants with digital services taxes for example (particularly a concern for the EU due to its Digital Services Act). But the bill could even result in taxes on, for example, US treasury coupon payments on foreign holders of US treasuring, including official ones and those of sovereign wealth funds that have traditionally escaped taxation. This potential power play against foreign holdings of US-based assets could eventually slow interest in recycling surpluses into US capital markets, obviously USD-negative in flow terms on major players looking for alternatives to US assets.

    Looking ahead
    This is the first week of the month, with all of the usual key US data, which could serve to brake or accelerate US dollar weakness, particularly the jobs report on Friday. A quick rundown of the key event risks for the week ahead:

    • US May ISM Manufacturing (today at 1400 GMT) – not usually a market mover, but interesting for color and for the employment component, where the 3-month moving average has been below 50 (in contraction) for more than two years.
    • Eurozone CPI (Tuesday). Could prove an important input for how dovish the ECB guides – more below.
    • US Apr. JOLTS Job openings (Tuesday)  This data point gets too much attention, given the weak response rates and heavy revisions, not to mention that it is tardy relative to other labor market data, but the market can’t help itself in reacting.
    • US May ADP Employment Change (Wednesday) The market will prove touchy to all US data releases this week as long as USD near key technical levels.
    • US May ISM Services Index (Wednesday) The US Services sector dominates – also watching the employment sub-index here after a volatile couple of months.
    • US Weekly Initial Jobless Claims (Thursday) The market will jump all over this data point if we see another elevated reading, as this data series has failed to print two higher-than-expected readings in a row in almost a year.
    • ECB meeting (Thursday). The ECB will cut 25 basis points to take the deposit rate down to 2.00%, with more focus on the guidance now that the ECB is reaching its “neutral rate”. July is only priced at about 25% odds of a further cut.
    • US May Nonfarm Payrolls Change / Unemployment Rate (Friday) – This is the usual arbiter on where the US jobs market is at, with consensus expectations for the Nonfarm Payrolls are at +125k after 177k in April.
    • Canada May Employment Report (Friday)– The Canadian economy is in a world of hurt, with the latest jump in steel and aluminum tariffs doing Canada no favours. Important to note that Canada’s mortgages reset after five years, so now we are hitting the mortgages that came 5 years after the pandemic breakout, when many refinanced due to very low rates. This will add pressure on many household budgets.

     

    FX Board of G10 and CNH trend evolution and strength.
    Note: If unfamiliar with the FX board, please see a video tutorial for understanding and using the FX Board.

    The US bearish trend intensifying here, and the Chinese renminbi tilting in the US dollar’s direction as usual, with AUD likely underperforming for the same reason (it’s exposure to China, but also its awkward status as a defense ally of the US when US and China tensions are heating up).

  • 02_06_2025_FXBoard_Main
    Source: Bloomberg and Saxo Group

    Table: NEW FX Board Trend Scoreboard for individual pairs.

    I wouldn’t read anything into the EURCAD trend – it is throwing off false signals in a range. Elsewhere, a bit more drama potential in key GBP pairs, where the EURGBP situation could get interesting on a further rally (new uptrend?) and the GBPJPY status could eventually prove interesting as well after the upside was rejected last week, though more GBP selling needed in both pairs first.

    02_06_2025_FXBoard_Individuals
    Source: Bloomberg and Saxo Group

    Latest Market Insights


    Outrageous Predictions 2026

    01 /

    • 350x200 peter

      Macro: Sandcastle economics

      Invest wisely in Q3 2024: Discover SaxoStrats' insights on navigating a stable yet fragile global economy.

      Read article
    • 350x200 althea

      Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

      Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain inflation and evolving monetary policies.

      Read article
    • 350x200 peter

      Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

      Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynamics echo 2021's rally.

      Read article
    • 350x200 charu (1)

      FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

      Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperform in Q3 2024.

      Read article
    • 350x200 ole

      Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

      Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities in Q3 2024.

      Read article

    This content is marketing material.

    None of the information provided on this website constitutes an offer, solicitation, or endorsement to buy or sell any financial instrument, nor is it financial, investment, or trading advice. Saxo Bank Switzerland and its entities within the Saxo Bank Group provide execution-only services, with all trades and investments based on self-directed decisions. Analysis, research, and educational content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered advice nor a recommendation.

    Saxo Bank Switzerland’s content may reflect the personal views of the author, which are subject to change without notice. Mentions of specific financial products are for illustrative purposes only and may serve to clarify financial literacy topics. Content classified as investment research is marketing material and does not meet legal requirements for independent research.

    Saxo Bank Switzerland partners with companies that provide compensation for promotional activities conduced on its platform. Additionally, Saxo Bank Switzerland has agreements with certain partners who provide retrocession contingent upon clients purchasing specific products offered by these partners.

    While Saxo Bank Switzerland receives compensation from these partnerships, all educational and research content remains focused on providing information to clients.  

    Before making any investment decisions, you should assess your own financial situation, needs, and objectives, and consider seeking independent professional advice. Saxo Bank Switzerland does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information provided and assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages resulting from the use of this information.

    The content of this website represents marketing material and is not the result of financial analysis or research. It has therefore not been prepared in accordance with directives of the Swiss Bankers Association designed to promote the independence of financial research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of the marketing material.

    Saxo Bank (Schweiz) AG
    The Circle 38
    CH-8058
    Zürich-Flughafen
    Switzerland

    Contact Saxo

    Switzerland
    Switzerland

    All trading carries risk. Losses can exceed deposits on margin products. You should consider whether you understand how our products work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. To help you understand the risks involved we have put together a general Risk Warning series of Key Information Documents (KIDs) highlighting the risks and rewards related to each product. The KIDs can be accessed within the trading platform. Please note that the full prospectus can be obtained free of charge from Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. or the issuer.

    This website can be accessed worldwide however the information on the website is related to Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. All clients will directly engage with Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. and all client agreements will be entered into with Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. and thus governed by Swiss Law. 

    The content of this website represents marketing material and has not been notified or submitted to any supervisory authority.

    If you contact Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. or visit this website, you acknowledge and agree that any data that you transmit to Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd., either through this website, by telephone or by any other means of communication (e.g. e-mail), may be collected or recorded and transferred to other Saxo Bank Group companies or third parties in Switzerland or abroad and may be stored or otherwise processed by them or Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. You release Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. from its obligations under Swiss banking and securities dealer secrecies and, to the extent permitted by law, data protection laws as well as other laws and obligations to protect privacy. Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. has implemented appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect data from unauthorized processing and disclosure and applies appropriate safeguards to guarantee adequate protection of such data.

    Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.