Dollar falls to lowest since early June as rate hike bets fade

The dollar experienced its weakest point in over two months on Monday as traders reduced expectations of US rate hikes amid a series of disappointing economic indicators. The Japanese yen gained 0.2% to about 159.04 per dollar, buoyed by weaker-than-anticipated growth in the Japanese economy, while the euro reached a two-month high.

The weakening of the dollar comes as investors await the Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole symposium, where policymakers will provide insights into their interpretation of recent economic data. Japan and the US have collaborated to support the yen, creating a unique dynamic for currency markets. The focus has shifted to whether the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates soon.

The yen's performance is also influenced by the outlook for US interest rates. Recent data indicating a decline in retail sales and stable inflation has led markets to believe that the need for additional rate hikes has diminished. However, there remain uncertainties about potential rate increases before the year's end. Investors are remaining cautious, as there are several factors that could impact the market, including upcoming data releases, Jackson Hole remarks, and Middle East developments.

The dollar weakened against the Chinese yuan, which experienced a slowdown in industrial output growth and retail sales that fell short of expectations in July.