The US Dollar declined broadly during Wednesday’s trading session as USD price action pivoted lower and unwound some of its recent gains. Sentiment-linked AUD/USD and NZD/USD ascended and were the top performing major currency pairs behind GBP/USD. The Pound Sterling, which makes up 11.9% of the DXY Index, surged over 130-pips on the day in response to news of a Brexit deal emerging.

GBP/USD PRICE CHART WITH US DOLLAR INDEX OVERLAID: 1-HOUR TIME FRAME (18 DEC TO 23 DEC 2020)
With Brexit deal chatter driving GBP/USD higher and EUR/USD price action piggybacking on Pound Sterling strength, there could be potential for a return of broad US Dollar weakness and invalidation of the recent US Dollar rebound attempt. This development, combined with talks of US politicians potentially boosting coronavirus aid checks to $2,000 from the initially agreed upon $600 amount, likely invigorated trader risk appetite and steered the US Dollar lower with the S&P 500-derived VIX Index. Need for fiscal stimulus was underscored by soft US economic data released earlier in the session.

USD PRICE OUTLOOK - US DOLLAR IMPLIED VOLATILITY TRADING RANGES (OVERNIGHT)
US Dollar implied volatility readings have cooled off a bit judging by the overnight tenor. This is to be expected headed into Thursday’s trading session, however, in light calm market conditions typically observed around holidays. Shortened hours on Thursday in observation of Christmas might result in relatively low volume and liquidity. GBP/USD is expected to be the most active major currency pair and USD/MXN is expected to be the most active minor currency pair with overnight implied volatility readings of 15.% and 19.0% respectively.

Reference by: Rich Dvorak, Analyst for DailyFX.com