US dollar near multi-week lows before Federal Reserve decision, Bitcoin reclaims US$54,000

[TOKYO] The dollar hovered near multi-week lows versus major peers on Tuesday, weighed by subdued Treasury yields, as investors consolidated positions ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy decision this week.

The safe-haven greenback was also out of favour after world stocks started the week hitting a record high, amid increasing investor confidence in a rapid global recovery from the pandemic.

In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin traded around US$54,000 following a 10 per cent surge on Monday, driven by reports that JPMorgan Chase is planning to offer a managed bitcoin fund.

That snapped a five-day losing streak that took the digital token to the cusp of US$47,000, with losses accelerating amid worries about US President Joe Biden's plan to raise capital gains taxes.

The dollar index, which tracks the US currency against six peers, was little changed at 90.859 early in the Asian session, after dipping to the lowest since March 3 overnight at 90.679.

No change to policy is expected when the Federal Open Market Committee ends its two-day meeting on Wednesday, but the market will pay close attention to comments from Chairman Jerome Powell, who is likely to face questions over whether improving conditions warrant a withdrawal of monetary easing.

Most analysts though expect him to say such talk is premature, which could put downward pressure on Treasury yields and the dollar.

"The reflation trade is back on," Gavin Friend, a strategist at National Australia Bank, said on a client podcast.

"Currencies outside of the dollar should be doing quite well anyway in that environment."

The dollar has fallen nearly 3 per cent since late March as US Treasury yields traded in narrow ranges after retreating from a 14-month high of 1.7760 per cent, slashing the currency's yield appeal.

The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield was around 1.58 per cent on Tuesday, tracking sideways since sliding to a one-month low of 1.528 per cent in the middle of this month.

The euro slipped 0.1 per cent to US$1.2078, but remained close to the one-month high of US$1.2117 reached on Monday.

The commodity-linked Australian dollar, a barometer of risk appetite, eased 0.1 to US$0.7791, after a 0.7 per cent rally overnight that took it just shy of a five-week peak.

The offshore Chinese yuan retreated 0.1 per cent after rising to a seven-week top of 6.4710 per dollar on Monday.

The dollar added 0.1 per cent to 108.18 yen, another haven currency, continuing its rise from the seven-week low of 107.48 reached on Friday.

The Bank of Japan announces a policy decision on Tuesday, with no change expected.

REUTERS