Dollar drifts higher as traders eye Iran talks ahead of US jobs data

The US dollar exhibited a marginal upward trend on Friday, as speculators weighed in on the prospect of Iran peace talks and forthcoming US jobs data. The greenback climbed to US$1.1521 against the euro, extending its gains of around 0.3% from the previous day. This rally was propelled by financial concerns surrounding an Iran peace agreement and a potential Federal Reserve interest rate hike, as indicated by a Financial Times report citing sources close to US Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh.

The dollar also benefited from a rise in Treasury yields, following a Reuters report suggesting a proposed Iran-Oman deal could potentially grant Tehran control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy trade route. Brent crude prices followed the upward trajectory, inching up over a dollar to US$83.55 per barrel. Market sentiment was further influenced by divergent opinions within the Federal Reserve, with some analysts anticipating a September interest rate hike should inflation data prove robust, while others believe the central bank may wait until December to commence rate hikes.

The US labor market, as gauged by the nonfarm payrolls report scheduled for release later on Friday, is anticipated to have added 80,000 jobs in the previous month, while the unemployment rate is forecast to remain steady at 4.2%.