The dollar dropped on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve signalled that interest rate increases may start later than many have anticipated and trimmed its US economic forecasts. The dollar was off more than 1 percent against the Swiss franc and sterling, while the euro climbed against the dollar, and was last up 0.75 percent.
The US central bank, after the close of a two-day policy meeting, said the economy was likely strong enough to support an interest rate increase by the end of the year. But the Fed lowered its expectations for 2015 economic growth because of a weak start to the year. Analysts are divided on whether the first Fed hike in about 10 years will occur in September or December.
"It wasn't as hawkish as anticipated coming into the meeting," said Steven Englander, global head of G10 FX strategy at Citi. "They were less committed (to starting rate hikes) than the market was looking for." A drop in US Treasury yields, which followed a rise before the Fed statement was published, showed investors' disappointment, Englander said. "The dollar is weaker because the statement is largely dovish," said Douglas Borthwick, managing director at Chapdelaine Foreign Exchange in New York. "Yellen and the Fed in general are waiting for inflation to show its head, and they don't believe it's there yet."
The euro, which has been weighed down by worries about Greece possibly defaulting on its debt, was last at $1.1327, while the dollar index was down 0.75 percent. The British pound touched its highest level against the dollar since November, and was up 1.20 percent to $1.5826. The pound was helped by data showing wages in Britain were growing faster than forecast. The Swiss franc was last up 1.15 percent against the dollar, at 0.9215 franc.