The US dollar gained on Wednesday as data supported the view that the US economy is in strong shape and as concerns about Italy's budget negotiations continued to weigh on the euro. Private employers added 230,000 jobs in September, the most since February, according to the ADP National Employment Report on Wednesday. That was more than economists' expectations of 185,000 jobs.
The data is consistent with the Federal Reserve's message last week and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's comments on Tuesday that the US central bank is "still very much committed to a gradual path when it comes to rate hikes going forward," said Bipan Rai, head of North American foreign exchange strategy at CIBC Capital Markets in Toronto. Powell on Tuesday hailed a "remarkably positive outlook" for the US economy that he feels is on the verge of a "historically rare" era of ultra-low unemployment and tame prices.
The dollar is outperforming as US growth remains strong while economic data in other large economies including the eurozone has come in below expectations.
The euro has been testing key technical support at $1.510-$1.508, which was a temporary low set in June.