The dollar rose to new high levels on Tuesday, pushing the yen down closer to the scope of authorities’ intervention, after strong economic data in the United States reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve would keep interest rates high for a longer period.
The euro reached its lowest level in more than a year against the dollar, falling below the January low of 1.0482, as surveys of the manufacturing sector issued in both Europe and the United States on Monday highlighted the disparity between the two economies.
The dollar index rose about 0.5 percent to 107.06, and at one point reached 107.12, the highest level since November 2022.
A survey released on Monday showed that the US manufacturing sector took another step towards recovery in September as production rose and employment rebounded, and also showed a significant decline in the prices that factories paid for inputs.
The dollar received support from rising US Treasury bond yields, while strong economic data reinforced expectations of keeping interest rates high for a longer period.
The rise in the US currency led to increased pressure on the yen, as it pushed it closer to the 150 level overnight, which the markets consider to be the limit that could motivate the Japanese authorities to intervene, as happened last year.
In the latest trading, the yen recorded 149.80 against the dollar, remaining close to the lowest level overnight of 149.88.
The euro fell to $1.0462 in Asian morning trade, the lowest level since December last year, after a euro zone Purchasing Managers' Index survey showed on Monday that demand continued to contract at a pace that has rarely been exceeded since the data was first collected in 1997.
The British pound recorded $1.20790 in recent transactions, the lowest level since March 16.
The Australian dollar remained roughly stable ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate decision later on Tuesday. A Reuters poll of economists showed that the Australian Central Bank will keep the key interest rate steady at 4.10 percent, but with the expectation of another hike in the next quarter to 4.35 percent, as inflation remains above the target rate.
