How To Trade the U.S. Dollar Index: Understanding the USDX

From its historical origins following the Bretton Woods Agreement to the present day, the U.S. Dollar Index (USDX) has served as a barometer for the dollar's strength, now measured against six foreign currencies. This index is crucial for traders not only as a market in its own right but also as an indicator of the relative strength of the U.S. dollar (USD) around the world.

In this Plus500 guide, we will explore how the USDX is calculated, what influences its fluctuations, and different ways you can trade the USDX. Let’s take a closer look:

Key Takeaways:

• The USDX measures the USD against a basket of six major currencies, reflecting its relative strength in the global currency market.
• With an initial base value of 100, the USDX index was originally established in 1973 post-Bretton Woods and serves as a financial indicator of the value of the U.S. dollar against six other currencies.
• The euro currency dominates the USDX composition, accounting for over half of the weighting, significantly influencing the index's movements.
• The USDX can be affected by factors like central bank policies, global economic data, and geopolitical events, which collectively shape its volatility and trading strategy implications.

What Is the U.S. Dollar Index?

The U.S. Dollar Index, commonly known as USDX or DXY, is a metric that measures the value of the USD against a set of foreign currencies. Calculated in real time approximately every 15 seconds by Intercontinental Exchange Inc (ICE), this index reflects how the USD performs relative to currencies like the euro (EUR), Japanese yen (JPY), British pound (GBP), Canadian dollar (CAD), Swedish króna (SEK), and Swiss franc (CHF). The euro plays a major role within the value of the index, accounting for over half of the total weighting of the index.

Changes in the DXY index can indicate the rise or fall of the USD's value compared to these significant currencies, serving as a useful tool for forex traders to understand the dollar’s strength. Moreover, this index is widely used for evaluating the USD’s performance, essential for financial planning and economic analysis.

Why Trade the USDX

Trading the USDX offers a streamlined approach for traders looking to gauge the strength of the USD against a predefined set of global currencies in just one transaction.

There are several ways to trade the USDX Index, with a popular method being through Contracts for Difference (CFDs). CFDs allow traders to speculate on price changes without owning the underlying asset.

Additionally, traders benefit from trading on margin, which requires only a fraction of the contract's full value to open a position. Using leverage by trading on margin for USDX CFDs can amplify potential gains, but it can also magnify losses, necessitating careful risk management.

The History of the USDX

The USDX was established by the U.S. Federal Reserve in 1973 following the dissolution of the Bretton Woods Agreement, which had fixed exchange rates by pegging other currencies to the U.S. dollar, with gold as the basis for the dollar’s value. This shift set the stage for the USDX as a financial indicator that measures the USD against a fixed group of currencies.

The index started in 1973 with a base value of 100, and subsequent values have been relative to this base. Its composition has remained unchanged except when the euro was introduced in January 1999, replacing several European

The USDX reached its record high of 164.72 in February 1985 and recorded its lowest value of 70.698 in March 2008. As of May 2024, the index is valued at approximately 105, indicating that the USD has appreciated in value against its constituent currencies since its launch in 1973.

Understanding the DXY: What Do Rising and Falling DXY Values Indicate?

The USDX, represented by the symbol DXY, is a financial tool that measures fluctuations in the USD’s value within the global market. A rising index indicates an appreciation of the dollar against the aforementioned major world currencies, while a declining index points to a weakening of the USD.

For example, an index value of 105 means that the dollar has strengthened by 5% against the basket of currencies since the initial value of 100. Conversely, if the index drops to 95, it signifies a 5% depreciation of the dollar compared to the basket’s initial value.

How Is the USDX Calculated?

The USDX is calculated using a specific formula involving its currency pairs.

The formula is expressed as:

In this equation, the exponent assigned to each currency pair indicates its weight in the index, with negative exponents when the USD is the quote currency and positive exponents when it is the base currency.

Since its introduction in 1973, the index has changed only once, when the euro was launched in January 1999. As of then, the euro has the largest influence on the index, contributing 57.6% to the weighting. This is followed by the Japanese yen at 13.6%, British pound at 11.9%, Canadian dollar at 9.1%, Swedish krona at 4.2%, and Swiss franc at 3.6%.

What Influences the Price of the USDX?

The USDX is influenced by a multitude of factors that affect its value in global markets. Understanding these influences is crucial for traders who seek to predict the index’s movements effectively.

Monetary Policies and Interest Rates

The central banks' monetary policies, particularly interest rates, can play a critical role in determining the supply and demand for the USD and the currencies within the USDX's basket. Changes in these rates can significantly impact currency values.

Macroeconomic Indicators

Macroeconomic factors such as GDP, inflation or deflation, economic growth, and recessions in the United States and the countries whose currencies are in the index also affect the USDX. These elements alter perceptions of a currency's strength or weakness.

Geopolitical Conflicts and Economic Data

Events like geopolitical conflicts, as well as comprehensive economic data releases, can drive traders to adjust their views on the USD and the other benchmarked currencies.

Currency Safe-Haven Status

During periods of global economic instability, the USDX may experience an increase if the USD is sought after as a safer asset. This movement is often driven by traders turning to the dollar during uncertain times as a safe haven currency.

These factors, combined, contribute to the USDX’s dynamic nature, reflecting the complex interplay of global economic activities and traders' sentiments toward the USD and its counterparts.

Ways to Trade the USDX

Trading the USDX can be approached in several ways, each catering to different trading styles and risk preferences. Traders have the option to engage with the index through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds, which allow trading based on the overall performance of the USD without the complexity of handling multiple currency pairs directly.

Another method is via USDX futures, where traders can hedge against currency risk or speculate on future movements of the index.

Additionally, contracts for difference (CFDs) offer a way to speculate on the rise or fall of the USDX. CFDs provide traders with the flexibility to engage in the market with potentially lower initial capital compared to traditional futures trading.

How to Trade USDX CFDs

Trading the USDX using CFDs offers an avenue to speculate on the index's price movements without the need to own the underlying assets.

CFDs are agreements between a trader and a provider to exchange the difference in the index's value from when a position is opened to when it is closed. This method utilises leverage, allowing traders to enter positions with a fraction of the total capital required, known as margin, which magnifies both potential returns and potential losses.

When trading CFDs, a trader can execute 'Buy' orders if they anticipate the index will rise or 'Sell' orders if they expect it to fall. While a successful 'Buy' trade will yield profits based on the total value of the position, a loss will also reflect the total value, emphasising the high stakes involved due to the leverage.

Additionally, CFDs enable traders to capitalise on market trends in either direction, enhancing their ability to manage trades based on their market forecasts. However, it's crucial to maintain adequate margin levels to keep positions open, with both initial and maintenance margins set according to the specific financial instrument's requirements.

Risk Management for USDX CFD Trading

Effective risk management is crucial when trading USDX CFDs. Traders can utilise various risk management tools to manage potential losses and protect gains.

Specifically, ‘Close at Profit’ [Stop Limit] and ‘Close at Loss’ [Stop Loss] orders are pivotal; these allow traders to set predefined rates at which positions will automatically close, either to lock in profits or to cut losses.

While these features are offered without charge, they do not ensure the position will close at the exact price specified due to potential slippage.

A guaranteed stop ensures that the position will close at the designated price, although it does incur a fee upon activation and is not available for all instruments.

USDX Trading Hours

U.S. Dollar Index Futures are available for trading 21 hours a day on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) and can be accessed through an online forex or CFD broker, where permitted. However, please note that trading hours may vary on the Plus500 platform.

Conclusion: U.S. Dollar Index Trading

The U.S. Dollar Index can provide a comprehensive measure of the U.S. dollar's strength against multiple international currencies. From its development in 1973 to its current role, the USDX has been an essential tool for traders, offering insights into the USD’s relative performance and facilitating a range of trading strategies.

Each trading avenue presents unique opportunities and risks, making the USDX a dynamic component of the financial markets that requires careful consideration and strategic planning. As global economic conditions evolve, the USDX remains a vital index for traders around the world, helping them navigate the complexities of the forex market.

If trading the USDX index interests you, you can begin trading USDX CFDs with Plus500.

USDX FAQs

Why should traders consider trading the USDX CFDs?

Trading the USDX CFDs allows traders to speculate on the overall movement of the US. dollar rather than individual currency pairs, potentially reducing transaction costs and simplifying exposure to the dollar.

What factors influence the USDX?

The USDX is influenced by various factors, including central bank interest rate decisions, geopolitical events, economic data from the U.S. and other countries in the currency basket, and overall market sentiment toward the U.S. dollar.

How is the USDX calculated?

The USDX is calculated using a geometric weighted average formula involving currency pairs: EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/USD, USD/CAD, USD/SEK, and USD/CHF. The euro (EUR) has the largest weight at 57.6%, followed by the Japanese yen (JPY), British pound (GBP), Canadian dollar (CAD), Swedish krona (SEK), and Swiss franc (CHF).