Dollar Holds Advance

2026-03-30 01:51 By Jam Kaimo Samonte 1 min. read

The dollar index held above 100 on Monday after rising for four straight sessions, supported by safe-haven demand as the Middle East conflict entered its fifth week with no end in sight.

Tensions escalated after President Donald Trump said he could “take the oil in Iran” and seize its export hub on Kharg Island, echoing the US military operation in Venezuela earlier this year.

The US is also reportedly preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran after additional troops arrived in the region.

Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen joined the conflict after targeting Israel over the weekend.

Surging oil prices from the Iran war bolstered hawkish bets on Federal Reserve policy, with markets speculating on a possible rate increase this year.

Investors now look ahead to key US jobs data this week, including the JOLTS and ADP private payrolls reports.

The March jobs report will also be released on Friday, even as capital markets will be closed for the Good Friday holiday.



News Stream
Dollar Holds Advance
The dollar index held above 100 on Monday after rising for four straight sessions, supported by safe-haven demand as the Middle East conflict entered its fifth week with no end in sight. Tensions escalated after President Donald Trump said he could “take the oil in Iran” and seize its export hub on Kharg Island, echoing the US military operation in Venezuela earlier this year. The US is also reportedly preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran after additional troops arrived in the region. Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen joined the conflict after targeting Israel over the weekend. Surging oil prices from the Iran war bolstered hawkish bets on Federal Reserve policy, with markets speculating on a possible rate increase this year. Investors now look ahead to key US jobs data this week, including the JOLTS and ADP private payrolls reports. The March jobs report will also be released on Friday, even as capital markets will be closed for the Good Friday holiday.
2026-03-30
Dollar On Track to End the Week Higher
The dollar index held steady near 100 on Friday and is on track to post a weekly gain of around 0.3%, as persistent concerns over the war with Iran, rising oil prices, and their implications for inflation and growth continue to support the currency. Oil is trading close to its 2022 highs, with markets bracing for the conflict to extend into April as attacks persist across the Middle East. This comes despite US President Trump’s announcement of a 10-day pause on attacks targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, through April 6, aimed at allowing more time for negotiations. However, some investors fear this window could also be used by the US to build up additional forces in the region. Meanwhile, traders have scaled back expectations for Fed rate cuts this year, although the central bank still sees one 25bps cut in 2026. The greenback strengthened mostly against the British pound and the Swiss franc but was little changed against the euro, the yen and the Australian dollar.
2026-03-27
Dollar Holds Gains on US-Iran Uncertainties
The dollar index traded just below 100 on Friday after rising for three consecutive sessions, supported by heightened uncertainties over the Middle East conflict and its effects on oil prices, inflation, and economic growth. In the latest developments, the Pentagon is reportedly looking at sending up to 10,000 additional ground troops in the Middle East to give the White House more options at the negotiating table. Meanwhile, Trump extended a deadline to attack Iranian energy infrastructure for 10 days, adding that Iran had allowed 10 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz this week as a “present” to the US. Disruptions linked to the conflict have pushed energy prices higher, fanning inflation fears and supporting hawkish expectations on Federal Reserve policy. Markets are now pricing in a nearly 50% chance that the Fed could hike rates by December, a sharp reversal from previous expectations of two rate cuts for this year.
2026-03-27