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Forex Today: Fedspeak and US PMI data eyed as choppiness continues.

The choppy action in financial markets continue in the second half of the week as investors assess the latest central bank commentary and data releases. The US Dollar Index stays on the back foot early Friday following Thursday's rebound and the 10-year US T-bond yield retreats toward 4%. ISM will release the February US Services PMI report later in the day and several FOMC members, including Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic and Fed Governor Michelle Bowman, will be delivering speeches ahead of the weekend.

USD Index remains choppy below 105.00 ahead of data.

The index gives away part of Thursday’s gains and returns to 104.70. The rally in US yields take a breather so far on Friday. ISM Non-Manufacturing, Services PMI, Fedspeak next on tap in the docket.

The USD Index (DXY), which tracks the greenback vs. a basket of its main rivals, comes under some selling pressure and returns to the sub-105.00 area on Friday. USD Index now looks at data

The index maintains the weekly choppiness well in place at the end of the week, this time below the 105.00 region and amidst some impasse in the ongoing rally in US yields.

Indeed, the dollar appears offered after investors seem to have already digested the recent bout of hawkishness from some Fed speakers while keep favouring a 25 bps rate hike at the March 22 meeting. On the latter, the probability of a 50 bps rate raise stays around 30% (from 0% a month ago) according to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool.

In the US data space, the main focus will be on the ISM Non-Manufacturing seconded by the final S&P Global Services PMI along with a slew of Fed speakers: Dallas Fed L.Logan (voter, centrist), Atlanta Fed R.Bostic (2024 voter, hawk), FOMC M.Bowman (permanent voter, centrist) and Richmond Fed T.Barkin (2024 voter, centrist).

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Rupee rises 36 paise to 82.24 against US dollar amid positive trend in domestic equities

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 82.28 against the dollar, then gained ground and rose to 82.24, registering a rise of 36 paise over its previous close.

The rupee gained 36 paise to 82.24 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday as fresh foreign fund inflows and a positive trend in domestic equities strengthened investor sentiments.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit opened at 82.28 against the dollar, then gained ground and rose to 82.24, registering a rise of 36 paise over its previous close.