Dollar Holds Steady as Fed Outlook Mulled
2026-09-07 01:48
By
Jam Kaimo Samonte
1 min. read
The dollar index held around 99 on Monday after rebounding slightly in the previous session, supported by stronger-than-expected US jobs data that reinforced expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike in September.
Data released Friday showed US nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 in August, following a revised increase of 23,000 in July and comfortably exceeding forecasts for a gain of 56,000.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1%, while annual wage growth slowed to 3.1%, though the moderation was less pronounced than markets had expected.
Investors raised the probability of a September Fed rate hike to around 60%, from roughly 50% before the jobs report.
Attention now turns to US inflation figures due this week for further clues on the central bank’s policy path.
The dollar also benefited from safe-haven demand as the US and Iran exchanged strikes on vessels over the weekend, sending oil prices higher.