Do More With Reuters
Partner Services

FOREX-Dollar slips as stocks, gold and oil jump; Fed eyed

Wed Nov 4, 2009 11:23pm IST
 
Email | Print | | Single Page
[-] Text [+]

* Dollar dips from 1-month high vs currency basket, euro

* Focus on whether Fed will keep pledge to keep rates low

* U.S. service sector grew in October, but below forecast (Updates prices, adds analysts' quotes and background)

By Wanfeng Zhou

NEW YORK, Nov 4 (Reuters) - The dollar slipped against most major currencies on Wednesday as a rally in stocks and commodities eroded the greenback's safe-haven appeal and investors awaited a policy decision from the Federal Reserve.

The decision, expected at about 2:15 p.m. (1915 GMT), is the key news for the day. The focus will be on whether the policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee will uphold its pledge to keep the benchmark fed funds rate low for "an extended period" even as the economy shows signs of improving. See [ID:nN02441229]

Given the recent unwinding of gains in higher-yielding currencies such as the Australian dollar, analysts said any indication that U.S. interest rates will stay low would prompt investors to take on riskier investments. If that happens, that may push the dollar lower, analysts said.

"I'm not looking for the Fed to make any substantial changes," said Dan Cook, senior market analyst at IG Markets in Chicago. "We had really positive (gross domestic product) growth, but they also realize the employment situation.  Continued...

Dubai Debt Fears

Villas are seen on the The Palm, Jumeirah, with Atlantis, The Palm, under construction on the breakwater (crescent), May 3, 2008.  REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh

Banks outside the Gulf played down their exposure to Dubai debt, after fears the emirate could default and even derail world economic recovery prompted a sell-off in global markets.  Full Article | Slideshow 

People light candles at a vigil to commemorate the victims of last year's militant attacks in Mumbai, in front of the India Gate in New Delhi November 26, 2009. Mumbai held tearful memorials and police staged a show of strength on Thursday as India's financial hub marked the first anniversary of militant raids that killed 166 people and pushed up tensions with Pakistan. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri
One Year Later

Mumbai held tearful memorials and police staged a show of strength as it marked the first anniversary of militant raids that killed 166 people and pushed up tensions with Pakistan.  Slideshow | Full Coverage