USDTHB 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.

Gold prices slumped anew to USD 2,155 per ounce from USD 2,163 on Friday, and USD 2,184 a week ago, boosting the US Dollar up against its Rivals. 

The US ISM Manufacturing PMI in February fell to 47.8, way below estimates of 49.5, and 49.1 previously. US Bond yields tumbled, with the 10-year rate settling at 4.18% (4.25%). The 2-year US treasury rate slumped 11 basis points, finishing at 4.53%.

Heading into this morning’s RBNZ Rate Decision meeting, the Kiwi (NZD/USD) steadied to 0.6170, little changed from 0.6165 previously. The Kiwi retreated off Monday’s high at 0.6211. Last week RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr acknowledged the risks of tightening policy.

The Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges the Greenback’s value against a basket of 6 major currencies steadied to finish at 104.27, little changed from previously. In volatile overnight trade, the DXY ratcheted to 104.67 on the higher-than-forecast US PPI before tumbling.