Dollar skids on ISM services dip, pound steady as UK votes

September rate cut seen more likely 

Expectations of a September rate cut got another boost on Wednesday after the ISM services PMI fell into contractionary territory, adding to the growing signs of a slowing US economy. The closely watched PMI indicator for the non-manufacturing sector fell more than expected in June, hitting the lowest level since May 2020. The employment subindex fell further below 50.0, while the prices paid component moderated to 56.3.

The data comes on the back of a similarly weak reading of the ISM’s manufacturing gauge on Monday. Furthermore, initial jobless claims edged up last week, maintaining the steady uptrend since January.

All the evidence seems to be pointing to an economy that’s losing steam, which is good news for inflation, and Fed officials have taken note of this “cooling”. Yet, FOMC members agreed that “greater confidence that inflation was moving sustainably toward 2%” was needed before cutting rates, according to the minutes of the June meeting published yesterday.

The remarks from the latest Fedspeak suggests policymakers’ stance hasn’t changed much since that meeting. Nevertheless, there has been a slight dovish lean, particularly from Chair Powell when he spoke on Tuesday, and all this has bolstered expectations that the Fed will start its easing campaign in September, with the odds rising to more than 75%.

Some relief for the yen as dollar slips 

Everything seems to be falling into place for the Fed to make its dovish pivot either at the July meeting or at Jackson Hole. Of course, tomorrow’s jobs report could still spoil things if the headline payrolls figure surprises to the upside again. But ahead of that, Treasury yields have taken quite a tumble, reversing some of the gains since the end of last week that came on the back of the increasing likelihood of a second Trump presidency.

With the US bond market closed on Thursday for Independence Day, the US dollar is stuck on the backfoot near three-week lows. This is helping the battered yen to lick its wounds after it brushed yet another 38-year low versus the greenback on Wednesday, coming just shy of the 162.00 level.

Pound perks up as UK set for Labour win 

The euro and pound have also rebounded sharply. Easing fears that France’s far-right National Rally party won’t be able to achieve an absolute majority in Sunday’s second round of voting for parliamentary elections have added to the euro’s upside this week.

Meanwhile, the pound is back in the $1.2750 region on expectations that the UK’s Labour party will win by a landslide in the country’s general election today, ending years of political turbulence. Investors are also hoping that a Labour government will forge better ties with the EU and are ignoring for now the possible risks of the UK turning into a one-party state should the Conservatives end up with less than 100 seats.

It's not all good news for risk assets 

In equity markets, both the Nasdaq and S&P 500 finished at fresh all-time highs on Wednesday, lifting European shares higher today. Japan’s TOPIX index also closed at a new record, although the risk-on mood has yet to spread to crypto markets where Bitcoin has slid to five-month lows.

Oil futures are somewhat struggling today amid the prospect of a weaker US economy weighing on the demand outlook.