Dollar paused as investors are focused on Powell’s speech

The U.S dollar paused on August 27 as investors are focused on a speech by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell later on Friday. The greenback gained in the previous session after fresh calls for early tapering from Fed policymakers.

Moreover, a dovish tone from the Fed’s chief could counter concerns about economic damage from the Delta strain of COVID-19. Furthermore, worries about the political fallout from a bomb attack in Kabul will likely spur bids in riskier currencies versus the greenback.

The U.S. dollar index traded at 93.030, recovering from Thursday’s low of 92.807. Meanwhile, the euro traded at $1.1755, dipping from the previous day’s peak of $1.1779.

The British pound declined to $1.3695. The dollar against the safe-haven Japanese yen dipped to 109.98 yen.

Analysts say that if the dollar stabilizes before the Fed’s annual symposium in Jackson Hole on Friday, the GBP/USD rate could struggle to move back above the $1.3800 200-day moving average.

Furthermore, Dallas Federal Reserve President Robert Kaplan announced he anticipates the Fed to start hiking interest rates next year.

Remarkably, Esther George, Kansas City Federal Reserve President, and James Bullard, St. Louis Fed President, also downplayed the impact of the Delta strain in separate interviews. Bullard reiterated his call for the Federal Reserve to trim its $120 billion in monthly bond purchases soon.

Investors expect Jerome Powell to strike a more dovish tone in his speech

Many investors anticipate Jerome Powell to strike a more dovish tone in his speech at the Kansas City Fed’s central banking conference.

Remarkably, the event usually is held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. However, it takes place virtually for the second straight year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, it has often been used by Federal Reserve policymakers to provide guidance on future policy.

Risk-sensitive currencies are expected to increase. Meanwhile, the Japanese yen is likely to decrease in that case.

The greenback was also supported by caution after a suicide bomb attack in Kabul airport.

Additionally, the risk-sensitive currency, the Australian dollar, fetched $0.7243. The currency slightly changed after data showing Australian retail sales fell in July due to the spread of the COVID Delta strain.

The New Zealand dollar slipped after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated the lockdown in Auckland is expected to remain in place for further two weeks. Auckland is the country’s largest city.

The New Zealand dollar last was down 0.1% at $0.6939.

In cryptocurrencies, the dominant cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, slid to $46,743. Remarkably, the cryptocurrency hit $50,000 on Monday, the highest since May. Meanwhile, the second-largest cryptocurrency, Ethereum, also declined to $3,084.