Dollar Set for Strong Monthly Gain
2026-03-31 02:16
By
Jam Kaimo Samonte
1 min. read
The dollar index held above 100 on Tuesday and was on track to gain nearly 3% this month, supported by safe-haven demand as the protracted Middle East conflict pushed oil prices higher and stoked stagflation concerns.
The Iran war has now entered its fifth week with no signs of easing, while Tehran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and threatened Red Sea shipping.
President Donald Trump warned of strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure unless Hormuz is reopened, overshadowing earlier signals of a potential deal with Iran.
Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said long-term US inflation expectations remain in check despite heightened Middle East uncertainties and noted that the central bank’s policy stance allows officials to assess the economic impact of the Iran war.
Investors now await March’s consumer confidence index and February’s JOLTS job openings data.