Skip to content

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

USD: inflation remains central to the direction of markets

In a week where there were two very different news headlines around economic prices, analysts are backing a mild reaction from the Fed. While China is now deflating again, the US seems to be getting inflation under control.

Video poster image

The dollar is broadly holding its recent gains but Marc Ostwald from ADMISI says while the hawks are still circling, the distance they are from the ground means that the doves are breaking cover.

(Video Transcript)

The Chinese economy

So there have been two really big headlines this week on inflation, or should I say one on deflation and one on inflation. Earlier in the week you remember the Chinese economy was deflating again according to year-on-year numbers in July and more and more people are asking if the so-called Japanification is now beginning to take hold in China.

The US economy

That is a long period of deflation. Then came the slightly better-than-expected news in the US economy on Thursday and people are now asking if the Federal Reserve (Fed) has now indeed done enough on interest rates. Let's take a look at what Mark Osborne has been saying this week at ADMISI.

The Federal Reserve

Now he's the Chief Economist and Global Strategist at the Commodities Health and he says the chance of further rate hikes from the Fed now look to be very low. But the Fed will continue to bang the drum for higher for longer above all given that labour demand remains robust and the economy continues to expand.

Both of those shoes he says will have to fall if the current market rate trajectory assumes an initial rate cut in March 2024 and a cumulative 150 basis points of rate cuts to 4% by the end of 2024. So that's a quote we've had from the Fed. So you can see that the Fed potentially looking possibly as though it might broadly have done enough.

USD

But we've seen the USD hold on to the recent gains today. We're down a little bit today after yesterday's close which is the highest close that we've seen in the market for the dollar basket since the 7th of July.

EUR/USD

Quick update on how to trade this using the markets around EUR/USD. The Euro broadly speaking stronger now. We've had also data out this week on the stock market indicating that the European Central Bank is likely to have to keep its foot on the pedal as far as interest rate rises are concerned. And this is why I think that the Euro has had an appreciation.

If you're long on this your stock goes down here under the 100 period moving average right about the 109 level. 109.95 is where we are. A break at the 110 level will then see this market not see too much in its wake before we get to the highs that we saw there back on the 18th of July at 112.76.

GBP/USD

A quick update on what's happening with the GBP/USD chart as well bearing in mind what's been going on here in the markets this week with sterling moving out to that stronger dollar.

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

Start trading forex today

Find opportunity on the world’s most-traded – and most-volatile – financial market.

  • Trade spreads from just 0.6 points on EUR/USD
  • Analyse with clear, fast charts
  • Speculate wherever you are with our intuitive mobile apps

See an FX opportunity?

Try a risk-free trade in your demo account, and see whether you’re onto something.

  • Log in to your demo
  • Take your position
  • See whether your hunch pays off

See an FX opportunity?

Don’t miss your chance – upgrade to a live account to take advantage.

  • Get spreads from just 0.6 points on popular pairs
  • Analyse and deal seamlessly on fast, intuitive charts
  • See and react to breaking news in-platform

See an FX opportunity?

Don’t miss your chance. Log in to take your position.

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Equities
  • Indices
  • Forex
  • Commodities
website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All share prices are delayed by at least 15 minutes.

" >


Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All share prices are delayed by at least 15 minutes.

Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.

Plan your trading week

Get the week’s market-moving news sent directly to your inbox every Sunday. The Week Ahead gives you a full calendar of upcoming economic events, as well as commentary from our expert analysts on the key markets to watch.


For more info on how we might use your data, see our privacy notice and access policy and privacy webpage.

You might be interested in…

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of spread betting and CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.