Housing Data Drags USD Lower

Trading in the currency market was mixed in the Wednesday session, with the greenback holding steady near recent levels against the majors. The dollar recovered in the afternoon versus the euro to hover beneath the 1.42-level while bouncing away from the 2.04-mark. Another bout of disappointing US economic data prompted renewed selling in the currency, pushing the dollar to a two-week low versus the yen at 116.20.

The data releases this morning included key gauges on inflation and the housing market. The September consumer price index was largely inline with expectations. The core CPI figure was unchanged at 0.2% m/m and 2.1% y/y. The headline inflation figure edged up to 0.3% m/m, compared with a 0.1% decline and 2.8% y/y. More importantly, were the release of sharply worse than anticipated housing starts data, which plunged by 10.2%, versus a 2.6% decline from August to 1.191 million units. The report provides no reprieve for rapidly deteriorating conditions in the housing market.

The Fed’s Beige Book, however, provided little clues into the FOMC’s policy decision at the end of the month. The Beige Book noted improved economic activity in early October, albeit at a decelerated pace since August. It remained upbeat on consumer spending, but acknowledged continued weakening in the housing markets. On inflation, the Fed said prices increased, in part due to the dollar decline.