FX.co ★ Will the Fed be able to control inflation?

The main component of the dollar's weakness yesterday was a report from China indicating that their manufacturing sector is growing strongly. It is an important component of China's economic recovery after its massive shutdown. Another factor putting bearish pressure on the dollar was the strength of the euro. Together, these fundamental events led to a 0.39% decline in the dollar.

Also, in the latest report from the Institute for Supply Management, U.S. manufacturing data shows that inflation continues to rise.

The ISM said on Wednesday that the manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose to 47.7% in February from 44.7% in January. These data coincided with the consensus forecast.

The report also noted that activity in the manufacturing sector continues to be at its lowest level since May 2020, when the global economy was forced to stop.

Values of such diffusion indices above 50% mean economic growth, and vice versa. The further away from 50%, higher or lower, the faster or slower the rate of change.

The report said that the price index rose to 51.3%. This is the first time in four months that U.S. producer prices have begun to rise.

Analysts say rising manufacturing prices could mean that the Federal Reserve will not be able to control inflation even as it continues to aggressively tighten monetary policy.

According to the CME FedWatch tool, there is a 73.8% chance that the Fed will raise rates by 25 basis points and 26.2% that the Fed will be more aggressive in raising rates by 50 basis points.

Looking at the components of the report, the new orders index climbed to 47% from 42.5% in January. At the same time, the production index fell to 47.3% from the previous 48%.

The labor market lost momentum, returning to a lower reading of 49.1% from 50.6% in January.

On such mixed data, the dollar is still holding its former positions with small deviations, reinforcing itself with the yield of 10-year bonds.

Yields on 10-year bonds topped 4% for the first time since October.