The US Dollar Index $DXY hit a new year-to-date high on Monday, punishing other global currencies.
The euro undercut its June pivot lows. The pound dropped for the fourth consecutive session. And the yen is well within reach of its lowest level since the summer of 1990.
Other major currencies don’t stand a chance against USD strength.
If you can’t beat them, join them!
The Swiss franc might be the next to succumb to this old proverb as it prepares to bend the knee.
Check out the US dollar-Swiss franc pair pulling back after posting a new eight-year low:
The price action following those eight-year lows mirrors the failed breakdown in the dollar index – sharply higher.
But the USD/CHF has reached a logical level to pause, marked by a polarity...
Have no fear, or "FOMO," if you missed any of those trades.
These next two dollar pairs offer well-defined entries using one of my favorite short-duration chart patterns…
The flag.
Before I outline the trade setups, here’s a quick reminder of what constitutes a flag or pennant (triangular version), according to Robert D. Edwards and John Magee’s classic...
Major global currencies, including the Australian dollar, the New Zealand dollar, the Japanese yen, the Canadian dollar, and the Singapore dollar, are limping lower against the greenback.
The long list could grow in coming sessions as momentum builds behind a sustained USD advance.
While the evidence suggests we lean in that direction, I always prepare to take the other side of a trade if and when the data changes.
So, what’s the best way to play a falling dollar?
Before I share my favorite trade setup, let’s look at the US Dollar Index $DXY:
DXY is finding resistance at the July pivot highs and a downtrend line originating with the March peak.
Markets chop sideways most of the time. This has been the reality for forex markets for much of the year.
But that’s starting to change as numerous US dollar pairs reach new 10-month highs. The dollar is taking down crucial levels while the US Dollar Index $DXY retests a year-to-date downtrend line and key former highs.
The peculiar coincidence sets up some potentially critical resolutions for these USD pairs.
If they fail, the dollar rally is likely over.
If they hold and additional USD breakouts materialize, selling pressure will intensify for many risk assets.
As of today, quite a few forex pairs are on the verge of supporting a sustained US dollar rally…
Let’s start with the second largest component of the DXY (13.6%), the US dollar-Japanese yen:
The USD/JPY is completing a six-week base as it breaks to its highest level since November.