Headline: Dollar Mixed as Markets Weigh Senate Spending Vote, UK Jobs Slowdown, and Swiss Tariff Talks
Introduction: The US dollar opened the North American session on uneven footing as traders balanced political developments in Washington, softer UK labor data, and signs of progress on US–Switzerland trade negotiations. Risk sentiment remained cautious, with equity futures mixed and safe-haven flows supporting the Swiss franc and precious metals.
The greenback was mixed across major currency pairs: softer against the euro (-0.13%), Swiss franc (-0.42%), and New Zealand dollar (-0.12%), while edging higher versus the yen (+0.04%), pound (+0.16%), Canadian dollar (+0.06%), and Australian dollar (+0.17%). In Washington, the Senate approved a spending package in a 60–40 vote to end the record government shutdown, sending the bill to the House with administration backing. The move reduced near-term policy uncertainty but did little to shift the dollar’s broader tone ahead of key economic catalysts.
UK labor market figures reinforced the cooling trend. Claimant counts rose by 29,000, well above the 17,600 expected, wage growth eased to 4.8% from 5.0%, and unemployment ticked up to 5.0% from 4.8%. The combination of rising jobless claims and moderating pay pressures points to softer labor conditions that could nudge the Bank of England toward a more dovish stance. Sterling drifted lower, with GBP/USD down around 0.18% in early trade.
In Europe, the franc firmed as Switzerland moved closer to a deal to reduce US tariffs on its exports to 15% from 39%, potentially finalized by late week pending presidential approval. USD/CHF fell about 0.43% on optimism around the talks. US equity futures were mixed ahead of the open: Dow up about 12 points, S&P down 15.43, and Nasdaq lower by 119. Nvidia slipped $1.80 to $195.46 following reports that SoftBank sold its 32.1 million-share stake last October for roughly $5.8 billion, freeing capital for larger AI initiatives. In commodities, crude traded near $60.50 (+$0.35), gold advanced to $4,138 (+$22.82) after its biggest daily jump since May, and silver rose to $51.16 (+$0.67) following a sharp rally the prior session. Bitcoin eased by roughly $1,000 to $104,945. US bond markets are closed for Veterans Day.
Key Points: – US dollar mixed: weaker vs EUR, CHF, NZD; firmer vs JPY, GBP, CAD, AUD – US Senate passed a shutdown-ending spending bill 60–40; House vote expected next – UK jobs data softened: claimant counts +29K, wage growth 4.8%, unemployment 5.0% – Swiss tariff talks progress boosted CHF; USD/CHF down about 0.43% – US equities mixed premarket; Nvidia lower as SoftBank exit headlines resurface – Commodities firm: crude around $60.50, gold and silver extend gains; Bitcoin slightly lower
