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Dollar Hits Seven-Week High After Fed Hike

By Markets Desk · 2026-09-17 · 1 min read
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Illustration: Tradingbird

The US dollar index reached 100.33, its strongest level since July 31. This move followed a unanimous Federal Reserve decision to raise interest rates.

The US dollar index climbed to 100.33, marking a seven-week high. This gain occurred after the Federal Reserve unanimously voted to increase interest rates. The central bank signaled a hawkish path with one additional hike projected for 2026. New Fed chief Kevin Warsh joined the decision, surprising markets with his guidance on future increases.

Currency strategists noted that Warsh sounded more hawkish than expected. This stance caused investors to reprice policy expectations higher. The dollar strengthened against major counterparts. The euro fell to $1.1456, approaching a seven-week low. Sterling remained flat at $1.3377 ahead of the Bank of England meeting.

Rate Futures Reflect Higher Odds

Traders now price in a 90% probability of another Fed hike by year-end. This data comes from CME Group tools. The market consensus aligns with the Fed's projection of one more increase in 2026. This shift has driven US Treasury yields higher alongside the currency.

Yen Pressures Ahead of BOJ Move

The yen traded at 156.20 per dollar, near a two-week low. Markets await the Bank of Japan decision on Friday. The BOJ is expected to raise rates to a 31-year high. Governor Kazuo Ueda will provide guidance on the pace of normalization. This decision may test the yen's recent gains against the dollar.

Global Currencies Show Mixed Performance

The Australian dollar stood at $0.7096. The New Zealand dollar traded flat at $0.5713. Bitcoin remained stable at $76,562.25. GN auto markets/forex reports that these moves reflect broad risk sentiment. The dollar's strength remains the dominant factor in cross-currency pairs.

Based on reporting by Global Banking & Finance Review, compiled by the Tradingbird desk.

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