Forex - Weekly Outlook: October 2 - 6

© Reuters. Dollar post first monthly gain since February

Investing.com - The dollar was little changed against a basket of the other major currencies on Friday after the release of some mixed U.S. economic reports, but the greenback ended September with its first monthly gain in seven months.

The , which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was little changed at 92.91 late Friday.

For the week the index rose 0.99%, helping the greenback post a monthly gain of 0.27%, the first monthly increase since February.

The dollar slipped on Friday after data showing that in August. The data was offset by another report showing an unexpected increase in the Institute for Supply Management's Chicago PMI.

The dollar had received a boost earlier in the week after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen indicated that the central bank was sticking to plans for and three in 2018.

Expectations that U.S. rates will rise help support the dollar by making U.S. assets more attractive to yield-seeking investors.

The dollar received an additional boost from after the Trump administration outlined plans for a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. tax code on Wednesday.

The dollar was slightly higher against the yen, with up 0.18% to 112.49 and ended the month with a gain of 2.02%.

The dollar was lower against the euro, with rising 0.26% to 1.1818, recovering from Thursday’s five-week low of 1.1716.

The euro came under pressure earlier in the week amid fears that political uncertainty Germany could hit the euro area’s economy and make closer euro zone integration more difficult.

Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar fell to its lowest level against the greenback in a month on Friday after data showed that Canadian economic growth ground to a halt in July, easing pressure on the central bank to raise interest rates again.

was up 0.33% at 1.2467 in late trade, after hitting a high of 1.2531.

, comments by Fed Chair Janet Yellen will be closely watched for further hints on the timing of the next rate hike. Friday’s U.S. jobs report will also be in focus.

Market watchers will be looking ahead to remarks by European Central Bank President Mario Draghi on Wednesday, while UK PMI data will offer further insight into the economic impact of Brexit.

Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.

Monday, October 2

Financial markets in China will remain closed for a holiday.

Japan is to publish its Tankan manufacturing and non-manufacturing indexes.

The UK is to release data on manufacturing activity.

In the U.S., the Institute for Supply Management is to publish its manufacturing index.

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Robert Kaplan is to speak.

Tuesday, October 3

Financial markets in China will remain closed for a holiday.

Australia is to release data on building approvals.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is to announce its benchmark interest rate and publish a rate statement which outlines economic conditions and the factors affecting the monetary policy decision.

Financial markets in Germany will be closed for a holiday.

The UK is to release data on construction activity.

Fed Governor Jerome Powell is to speak at an event in Washington.

Wednesday, October 4

Chinese financial markets will be closed for a holiday.

The UK is to release data on service sector activity.

The U.S. is to release the ADP nonfarm payrolls report for September, while the ISM is to release its non-manufacturing PMI.

ECB head Mario Draghi is due to speak in Frankfurt.

Later in the day, Fed Chair Janet Yellen is to speak at an event in St. Louis.

Thursday, October 5

Chinese financial markets will be closed for a holiday.

Australia is to release data on retail sales and the trade balance.