Yesterday, lower-than-expected monthly CPI and Retail Sales data in the US supported the possibility of multiple interest rate cuts by the Fed in 2024. US CPI decelerated to 0.3% in April, lower than the expected level of 0.4%. While Retail Sales were flat, missing the expected increase of 0.4%.
The DXY index fluctuates around 104.20. The decline in US government bond yields is weakening the USD. US government bond yields for 2-year and 10-year terms were at 4.71% and 4.32 respectively after the data was published.
Cooling inflation will help the Fed soon make a decision to lower interest rates, to support the US economy, which is showing more signs of slowing down. Cooling inflation will also soothe the psychology of US investors and consumers.
Gold prices increased because tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East still show no signs of cooling down. Russia is attacking on many fronts in Ukraine and fierce fighting is occurring. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, Iran recently said it would create a nuclear bomb if threatened by Israel.