The US Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback vs. its main rivals, is challenging session tops in the 96.80 neighbourhood so far. The index has managed to recover from the previous knee-jerk to the 96.50 area, after a better-than-expected NAHB index seemed to have reignited the buying interest around USD. Renewed expectations of a rate hike in September has been bolstering the bid tone in the dollar as of late, specially in response to the auspicious results from last week’s data – retail sales and producer prices. As of writing the index is up 0.31% at 96.81 and a breakout of 97.33 (high Aug.12) would aim for 97.59 (high Aug.11) and then 97.92 (high Aug.10). On the downside, the immediate support aligns at 95.92 (low Aug.12) ahead of 95.63 (low Jul.13) and finally 95.46 (low Jul.10).