On February 9,the dollar index displayed a fluctuating movement and ultimately closed at 108.04,representing a 0.353% increase.Several factors contributed to this increase.

Looking into economic data,the United States showed signs of a slowdown in job growth during January,despite a drop in the unemployment rate to 4.0%.While a slowdown in job growth may hint at a weakening pace of economic expansion,the drop in unemployment suggests a degree of stability in the labor market.This seemingly contradictory data provides a solid rationale for the Federal Reserve to maintain interest rates in the short term.Employment data is a crucial reference in the formulation of monetary policy by the Fed.A stable unemployment rate indicates that the economy has not encountered severe recessionary signals,which empowers the Fed to hold steady on interest rates—an element that propels the value of the dollar.

Moreover,the U.S.announcement of plans to impose equivalent tariffs on several countries reflects a tougher stance in trade policy.This maneuver has sparked market expectations regarding changes in the global trade landscape,thus prompting a reassessment of the dollar's status in the international currency market.In the international trade arena,the dollar serves as the primary settlement currency,and any adjustments in trade policy typically impact its demand.The expectation that trade exchanges between the U.S.and other countries may shift due to planned tariff imposition has introduced volatility in investor demand for the dollar,subsequently boosting the dollar index.

Nonetheless,the dollar index,on the whole,posted a decline last week.This downturn stands in stark contrast to the increase observed last Friday.The overall decline in the dollar index last week reflects a moderation in market concerns regarding global trade friction.Previously,various uncertainties had loomed over global economic growth,triggering heightened risk aversion among investors.However,with the emergence of some positive signals,the market began to believe that the situation might not be as grave as previously anticipated,leading to a decline in the risk-aversion demand for the dollar and resulting in an overall decrease in the dollar index.

Regarding employment data,the U.S.non-farm payrolls for January fell short of expectations,adding only 143,000 jobs compared to economists' projections of 170,000.This figures undoubtedly impacted market sentiments.Employment data is an essential indicator of economic health,and a decline in new jobs signals that the U.S.economy may face certain pressures.However,the revision of December's figures to 307,000 alleviated some market apprehensions.Analyst Joseph Trevisani noted that the employment market has yet to display a clear trend,implying that the future trajectory of employment data remains uncertain.This uncertainty surrounding employment figures further influences the dollar's movements,as the dollar's value is intricately linked to the overall state of the U.S.economy; any uncertainty in the labor market—the economy's vital component—affects the dollar's trajectory amidst varied factors.

The U.S.government's recent stance on trade policy has drawn significant attention in the market.During a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,the U.S.reaffirmed that tariffs on automobiles remain under discussion,even as the White House may consider certain exemptions.This commentary leaves the market speculating on the trade outlook in the automotive sector,one of the crucial exports for the U.S.Any shift in trade policy surrounding this industry could profoundly impact the U.S.economy,thereby affecting the dollar’s trends.

In the foreign exchange market,other currencies displayed varied performances.The pound traded at 1.2413 against the dollar,representing a decrease of 0.2%.This drop primarily resulted from the Bank of England's announcement to cut interest rates to 4.5% and downgrade the growth forecast for the year to 0.75%.The rate cut and subsequent decline in growth expectations diminished the pound's attractiveness,leading investors to sell the currency in favor of other more lucrative assets,thereby driving the GBP/USD exchange rate lower.The euro also declined against the dollar by 0.49%,settling at 1.0333,with some instability factors in the Eurozone economy—such as sluggish growth and political uncertainties—negatively impacting the euro's movements.

Meanwhile,the dollar declined slightly by 0.09% against the yen,primarily due to market expectations that the Bank of Japan may increase its rate hike efforts beyond what was initially projected.An increased rate hike from the BoJ would elevate the appeal of the yen,which contributed to the slight dip in the USD/JPY exchange rate.

Currently,market focus remains acutely on whether U.S.trade policies will escalate further and whether the Fed will adjust its rate policy.These two factors are pivotal in shaping the short-term trajectory of the dollar.