{
  "id": 14105780,
  "title": "Dollar holds near 18-month high as geopolitical risks rise",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/dollar-holds-near-18-month-high-as-geopolitical-risks-rise-14105780",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-13T02:35:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/10/13/dollar-holds-near-18-month-high-as-geopolitical-risks-rise"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The US dollar index maintained its near 18-month peak at 102.56 in light Asian trading on Tuesday, as markets reopened following a US holiday weekend. The index, which gauges the greenback's strength versus six currencies, rose 0.3% on Monday. Recent geopolitical tensions, including renewed assaults on energy infrastructure in the Middle East and Ukraine, have added to the dollar's resilience. Analysts point to a convergence of factors such as higher interest rates, robust US economic growth, and expanding demand for defensive US assets as key drivers behind the dollar's strength. Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone Group Ltd, attributed the greenback's performance to these tailwinds, noting that higher energy prices and climbing US Treasury bond yields have bolstered the dollar's position against its major competitors. Meanwhile, the euro and British pound remained relatively stable at around US$1.1159 and US$1.3209, respectively. The yen and Chinese yuan also exhibited varying trends, with the Japanese yen weakening slightly versus the dollar and the Chinese yuan nearing its strongest levels in four years against the US dollar. The Australian dollar and New Zealand dollar showed modest declines, holding steady near 18-month lows. Cryptocurrencies, notably Bitcoin and Ether, experienced declines of 2% and 3.8%, respectively. Energy prices, as reflected in Brent crude futures, experienced a slight retreat after a 1.8% increase earlier in the week, driven by attacks on energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and Ukraine.",
  "summary": "Rising energy costs and higher US Treasury yields have recently supported the US dollar against its major peers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Dollar holds near 18-month high as geopolitical risks rise",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/dollar-holds-near-18-month-high-as-geopolitical-risks-rise",
        "published": "2026-10-13T01:48:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Dollar holds near 18-month high as geopolitical risks rise",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/dollar-holds-near-18-month-high-as-geopolitical-risks-rise-14106429",
        "published": "2026-10-13T02:35:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Dollar holds near 18-month high as geopolitical risks rise",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/dollar-holds-near-18-month-high-as-geopolitical-risks-rise-14102563",
        "published": "2026-10-13T02:56:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}