US dollar strength has persisted in Asia

The US PPI report on Thursday came in hot, the latest in a string of rising inflation indications:

• US February PPI +1.6% y/y vs +1.1% expected

Earlier in the week the CPI:

• Forexlive Americas FX news wrap: Dollar climbs as US CPI stays hot

While June is still favoured for the first Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) rate cut that’s going to get binned if inflation reports stay strong. The PPi on Thursday showed goods inflation ticking up at the wholesale level, a troubling sign.

The USD gained right across the majors board and that has continued here in Asia today.

USD/JPY has traded above 148.60:

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.