Dollar Climbs to Near 1-½-Month High

2026-01-14 01:43 By Jam Kaimo Samonte 1 min. read

The dollar index rose to around 99.2 on Wednesday, approaching its highest level since early December, as the latest inflation data had little impact on the near-term outlook for Federal Reserve policy.

Data released on Tuesday showed US CPI largely met expectations, reinforcing views that the Fed is likely to keep policy unchanged later this month.

However, underlying price pressures showed signs of easing, with monthly core inflation at 0.2%, below the anticipated 0.3%.

The dollar also shrugged off concerns over the Fed’s independence after the Department of Justice threatened Fed Chair Jerome Powell with a criminal indictment.

Comments from other major central bank heads and Wall Street bank CEOs expressing support for Powell helped calm markets.

Investors now turn to Wednesday’s US PPI and retail sales reports for further clues on the economic trajectory.



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