US dollar drops on stock rally, stimulus stalemate

London

THE US dollar fell to its lowest in a week against a basket of currencies on Thursday, with analysts pointing to equity market resilience and stalemate over additional stimulus for the US economy as reasons for its weakness.

After losing 10 per cent of its value from a peak in March, the US dollar index has been bouncing around its lowest levels in more than two years since late July.

On Thursday, it traded 0.3 per cent lower at 93.093. Against the euro, the US dollar fell 0.5 per cent to US$1.1840, adding to a 0.4 per cent decline on Wednesday.

Analysts note recent equity market resilience - despite rising coronavirus cases, the stalemate over a new US relief package, and geopolitical tensions - only works against the US dollar.

US stocks rallied on Wednesday with the S&P 500 index reaching record highs.

"The S&P500 briefly touched record highs yesterday, confirming the ability of equities to quickly shrug off negative drivers to sentiment," said Francesco Pesole, FX strategist at ING. "This remains a key point in favour of the dollar-bearish argument."

Risk-on sentiment benefited the Australian dollar, as did better-than-expected jobs data that eased concerns about a persistent coronavirus outbreak in the Australia's second-largest city, Melbourne.

The Japanese yen recouped some of its losses from the previous day, trading 0.3 per cent higher at 106.62 per US dollar. But by midday in London it gave up those gains and traded flat. The British pound rose 0.5 per cent to US$1.3099.

The onshore yuan briefly rose to a five-month high before steadying at 6.9421 per US dollar.

US and Chinese officials meet on Saturday to review their Phase I trade deal.

President Donald Trump accused congressional Democrats on Wednesday of not wanting to negotiate over a US coronavirus aid package as Republican and Democratic negotiators traded blame for a five-day lapse in talks over relief legislation.

"The question now is whether this will be enough to prompt a slowdown/correction in the stock rally," Mr Pesole said in a note to clients.

"Latest evidence suggests investors may turn a blind eye to the matter, and the balance of risks remains tilted to the downside for the dollar today as well."

The pandemic has taken a particularly heavy toll on the United States, where it has killed more people than in any other country. Millions of U.S. workers have lost jobs, and supplemental federal unemployment benefits expired last month. REUTERS