USDSGD Exchange Rate

New orders for U.S. manufactured goods surged in line with economist estimates in the month of March, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday. The Commerce Department said factory orders shot up by 1.6 percent in March after jumping by a downwardly revised 1.2 percent in February.

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed labor productivity in the U.S. increased by less than expected in the first quarter of 2024. The Labor Department said labor productivity rose by 0.3 percent in the first quarter after spiking by a revised 3.5 percent in the fourth quarter. Economists had expected productivity to climb by 0.8 percent.

The Organization for Economic and Co-operation and Development on Thursday lifted the global growth forecast for this year and next despite some substantial concerns about the outlook. The Paris-based think tank raised the global growth forecast for this year to 3.1 percent from 2.9 percent projected in February. The outlook for next year was lifted to 3.2 percent from 3.0 percent.

The U.S. trade deficit edged slightly lower in the month of March, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday. The Commerce Department said the trade deficit narrowed to $69.4 billion in March from a revised $69.5 billion in February Economists had expected the trade deficit to inch up to $69.1 billion from the $68.9 billion originally reported for the previous month.

The Dollar Index, which gauges the value of the Greenback against a basket of 6 major currencies, climbed to 105.77 from 105.57 after the US PCE report showed price pressures remain elevated.

The Dollar Index, a popular gauge of the Greenback’s value against a basket of 6 major currencies, steadied to close at 106.11 (106.15 Friday).

The Dollar Index (DXY) soared to finish above 106.0 (104.95) as geopolitical risks rose amidst hawkish Fed bets. News that Iran fired a huge salvo of missiles and drones toward Israel boosted the Greenback against its Rivals.

Stronger than expected Inflation data in the US, which accelerated to 3.5% for the second month running, lifted the Dollar Index to 105.23, a 5-month high.