Forex Today: US Dollar extends consolidation ahead of key inflation data, Nvidia earnings

On Wednesday, August 26, US Dollar (USD) remains relatively stable as investors await key economic releases and Nvidia's earnings report. The US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) will release its second estimate for the second-quarter GDP growth and Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index, the Federal Reserve's preferred gauge of inflation, data for July. Nvidia (NVDA) will also release its earnings after the market closes.

The US Dollar (USD) has been the strongest currency against the Canadian Dollar this week, with a percentage change of +0.9%. The US Dollar Index is currently at 99.00, holding steady after small losses on Tuesday. Analysts at ING expect the Dollar to remain stable around 99.00/100, with a potential upside cap at 99.00/100.

Meanwhile, Iran and Oman have proposed a temporary shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz, though Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned that the waterway will remain closed despite the agreement. The US-China trade frictions have intensified following Canada's announcement of retaliatory tariffs up to 50% on nearly $20 billion worth of US goods. This has increased uncertainty for businesses and posed a threat to prices and supply chains.

Australia's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 3.5% in July, above market expectations of 3.2%. This has caused AUD/USD to rally and trade near its highest level since early June, at 0.7180. EUR/USD remains range-bound near 1.1700, while GBP/USD continues to struggle and trades below 1.3650. USD/JPY is correcting lower at around 159.00, while gold has edged lower to trade below $4,630.

UOB Group analysts identify a minor ascending daily trendline at $4,425, which could provide support for gold, with the 21-day EMA at $4,425. If gold breaks below this level, it may signal a pause in the broader uptrend. The next resistance level for gold is May's high of $4,773, followed by April's high of $4,889.