Dollar dips as markets weigh rate hike odds

The dollar edged lower on Monday in a relatively subdued session, as traders positioned ahead of key US jobs data due later this week. The move came after hawkish remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh on Friday renewed expectations of a September interest rate hike.

The dollar index, which measures the US currency against six major peers, was down between 0.14% and 0.24% by different counts, with one report putting it at 99.43 and another at 99.54, after hitting 99.73 on Friday, its strongest level since August 17. The index remains on track for a second consecutive monthly decline, with some analysts pointing to US Treasury bond-buyback plans earlier in the month that revived so-called debasement trades.

The euro rose 0.12% to $1.1598 in one account and 0.27% to $1.1615 in another, while sterling strengthened 0.07% to $1.3544. Both currencies remained on track for a second consecutive month of gains.

Jobs data takes center stage

Traders are focused on August jobs and inflation data due before the Federal Reserve's September 15-16 meeting, looking for clues on whether a rate hike is likely. The August jobs report, due Friday, is expected to show that employers added 55,000 jobs during the month, according to the median estimate of economists polled by Reuters. It follows a July report that showed an unexpected drop in hiring.

"If we get an outright decline in jobs, I don't see how the Fed can raise interest rates," said Marc Chandler, chief market strategist at Bannockburn Global Forex. "I don't think that they've ever raised interest rates after the economy had back-to-back job losses."

August's producer price inflation report is due on September 10, and consumer price inflation for the month is scheduled for September 11.

Warsh's hawkish signal

Speaking on Friday, Warsh said the US central bank will "have work to do" if policymakers do not get the confidence they need that inflation is heading down to 2%, in what was described as his clearest indication yet that further tightening may be needed to curb price pressure.

Fed funds futures traders now price a 64% probability of a September rate hike, up from around 35% before Warsh's comments.

"Warsh's prepared remarks seemed designed to lift rate-hike expectations, rebalance the September debate towards the hawks and rebuild his inflation-fighting credibility," said Elwin de Groot, head of macro strategy at Rabobank.

Yen and oil in focus

Attention also turned to the yen, which strengthened 0.2% to just above 159.7 per dollar after sliding beyond 160 per dollar on Friday. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that recent yen moves had been "pretty well contained" and that he expected Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda to "do the right thing" on monetary policy.

Oil prices rose on renewed tensions in the Gulf, with Brent crude futures up more than 3% at one point. A US official said American forces struck Iran's Larak Island on Sunday, marking the first known US strikes on Iran since late July.