Brown Brothers Harriman’s (BBH) Elias Haddad notes the Dollar Index has retreated from its post-October CPI highs, with the USD rally seen as stretched versus rate differentials. He highlights that stagnant US real wages may cap expectations for a 50bps Fed hike in December.

USD rally seen stretched near term

“The dollar index (DXY) has pulled back from its highest level since early April 2025, when President Donald Trump unveiled his Liberation Day tariffs. The USD rally was fueled by a sharp repricing in fed funds rate expectations following the hot US October CPI print and amplified by hawkish Fed rhetoric.”

“Nevertheless, the USD rally may have run too far, too fast. USD has overshot the level implied by rate differentials, limiting the scope for further gains in the near-term. Moreover, pricing of a jumbo 50bps fed funds rate hike in December will likely be constrained by stagnant US real wages and the resulting headwind to consumption spending.”

“Today’s second-tier US data (weekly jobless claims and October existing home sales) are unlikely to move the needle, leaving Fed speakers in focus.”