US Dollar Index remains under pressure around 96.50

• The index comes under selling pressure in the mid-96.00s.
• Yields of the US-10 year note eased from tops.
• Markets’ focus stay on Brexit negotiations.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the greenback vs. a basket of its main competitors, has now reversed the initial optimism and returns to the negative ground in the 96.50/40 band.

US Dollar Index focused on risk trends, yields

The index is trading on the defensive for the first time following two consecutive daily advances and after bottoming out in the area of the 200-day SMA last week.

Declining yields in the US money markets plus the inversion of the 3m-10y curve continue to weigh on sentiment along with speculations of a global slowdown, including the US and particularly after disappointing advanced PMIs published last Friday.

There are no scheduled releases in the US docket today, whereas Housing Starts, Building Permits, the S&P/Case-Shiller index and CB’s Consumer Confidence will grab all the attention on Tuesday.

What to look for around USD

The greenback left behind recent Fed-induced lows although it is expected to remain in centre stage while investors keep scrutinizing the performance of yields and the recent inversion of the 3m-10y curve. In light of the heightened patient stance from the Fed, traders will now scrutinize every piece of incoming data, particularly regarding the inflation performance. Fresh jitters from the US-China trade front could, however, put a floor to the buck’s decline in the near/medium term.

US Dollar Index relevant levels

At the moment, the pair is losing 0.03% at 96.51 and a breach of 95.74 (low Mar.20) would open the door for 95.16 (low Jan.31) and then 95.03 (2019 low Jan.10). On the flip side, the next hurdle is located at 96.81 (high Mar.22) seconded by 97.37 (high Feb.15) and finally 97.71 (2019 high Mar.7).