Dollar Mixed as Dovish Fed Bets Lift Stocks Into Thanksgiving Week
The US dollar eased against the euro and the pound while holding firmer versus the yen on Monday, as traders ramped up expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in December. Equity futures advanced and Treasury yields were mixed, with risk appetite improving into a holiday-shortened US trading week.
Fed Rhetoric Tilts Dovish
Dollar dynamics softened at the North American open after Fed Governor Christopher Waller signaled he favors a rate cut at the December meeting, reinforcing a dovish pivot that started with New York Fed President John Williams’ remarks on Friday. Interest-rate derivatives now imply close to a 70% probability of a December move, sharpening the focus on upcoming economic prints and the Fed’s near-term policy path.
FX Market Positioning
The greenback slipped versus the euro and sterling, reflecting softer US rate expectations and a modest improvement in global risk sentiment. Conversely, the dollar remained resilient against the yen, with USD/JPY underpinned by rate differentials and ongoing yield dynamics. Broader FX volatility remains contained ahead of the Thanksgiving break, with liquidity likely to thin as the week progresses.
Equity Futures and Yield Dynamics
US equity futures pointed higher to start the week, supported by the recalibration in Fed expectations and a better bid for growth-sensitive sectors: – Dow futures up 173 points – S&P 500 futures up 47 points – Nasdaq 100 futures up 242 points
Gains of roughly 0.3%–0.8% across benchmarks reflect improved risk appetite as investors position for policy easing and a softer rates backdrop. In the US debt market, Treasury yields were mixed across the curve in early trade, with the front end sensitive to policy repricing while longer tenors tracked broader growth and inflation expectations. Liquidity flows could become patchier later this week, with US markets closed Thursday and operating abbreviated hours Friday.
Trade Policy Back in Focus
Former President Donald Trump asserted on social media that US tariff revenues will “skyrocket” as earlier stockpiled inventories run down, arguing this would bolster national income and security. Economists generally note tariffs are paid by importers and can be passed through to consumers, potentially pressuring margins or household spending depending on competitive dynamics. Any renewed trade frictions could add a layer of headline risk to FX and equity markets, though the dominant driver near term remains the Fed’s policy trajectory.
Market Highlights – USD softer versus EUR and GBP; firmer against JPY as rate-cut bets rise – Fed Governor Waller backs a December cut; market-implied odds near 70% – Dow +173, S&P 500 +47, Nasdaq +242 in pre-market trade – Treasury yields mixed across the curve; liquidity expected to thin ahead of Thanksgiving – Risk appetite improves; FX volatility subdued into holiday-affected week
What traders are asking
Q: Why is the dollar mixed today? A: The greenback is softer against higher-beta majors like the euro and sterling on rising Fed cut expectations but stays supported versus the yen due to persistent US–Japan yield differentials.
Q: What is the market pricing for the next Fed decision? A: Derivatives markets put the probability of a December rate cut near 70%, following dovish remarks from Fed officials late last week and today.
Q: How could renewed tariff talk affect markets? A: Tariffs act as a tax on imports and can raise costs for US businesses and consumers. A shift toward higher trade barriers could weigh on risk assets, support the dollar in risk-off episodes, and complicate the inflation outlook.
Q: What is the US trading schedule this week? A: US markets are closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving and reopen Friday with shortened hours, which typically reduces liquidity and can temper price discovery.
This article was prepared for BPayNews’ global markets coverage.
