{
  "id": 1847344,
  "title": "United States Dollar Index hovers above 99.50 due to safe-haven support",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/united-states-dollar-index-hovers-above-99-50-due-to-safe-haven",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-19T02:07:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "FXStreet",
    "slug": "fxstreet",
    "url": "https://www.fxstreet.com/news/united-states-dollar-index-hovers-above-9950-due-to-safe-haven-support-202608190207"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The US Dollar Index (DXY) is holding steady above 99.50 due to safe-haven demand, driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran and persistent market concerns over global supply. As traders await the Federal Reserve's (Fed) July Meeting Minutes to gain insight into the central bank's monetary policy outlook, the US Dollar (USD) benefits from the ongoing conflict, which has led to a naval blockade by the US and elevated shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz. However, with little hope of a resolution in sight, the Greenback may face headwinds if expectations of a US interest rate hike next month ease. The recent drop in US Retail Sales and unexpected job losses have contributed to market jitters, while the Federal Reserve maintained interest rates at its last meeting. Despite this, three officials dissented in favor of a rate hike, leaving traders uncertain about the division within the central bank. Recent economic data indicated that US Retail Sales fell in July for the first time in nine months, adding to concerns alongside the unexpected job losses and muted CPI inflation figures. While the Fed left interest rates unchanged, the market now anticipates only a 35% chance of a rate hike at the Fed's September meeting, a significant drop from 47% a month earlier. Strategists at Scotiabank note that a \"mild risk-off mood\" is providing broad support to the US Dollar in the short term, with front-end rates remaining slightly firmer, even as longer-term US bond yields face pressure from inflation concerns. The Dollar Index Spot is trading at 99.60, with a bearish near-term bias and the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering just above oversold territory, indicating persistent downside pressure. The technical analysis suggests resistance at the nine-day EMA near 99.77, followed by the 50-day EMA at 100.19, with a potential ceiling at the horizontal barrier around 101.80 on the upside, and immediate support at 97.62, supported by secondary cushions at 96.49 and 95.56.",
  "summary": "The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, is steadying after registering minor gains in the previous day and trading around 99.60 during the Asian hours on Wednesday.",
  "key_points": [
    "US Dollar Index above 99.50 due to safe-haven demand",
    "Geopolitical tensions between US and Iran driving demand",
    "Market concerns over global supply and shipping risks"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The US dollar's safe-haven appeal, driven by geopolitical tensions and global supply concerns, is currently outweighing potential headwinds from expectations of a delayed US interest rate hike.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}