The US Dollar Index (DXY) trades near 102.20–102.30, close to its 18-month high of 102.54, supported by market-implied odds of roughly 70–80% for a December Federal Reserve rate hike following the September FOMC minutes that showed most officials favoring additional tightening by year-end. Elevated 10-year Treasury yields near 5.30% and persistent inflation concerns have reinforced the greenback’s strength against major currencies amid a data-dependent policy path. The primary near-term catalyst is the September CPI release on October 14, with consensus forecasts of 0.6% month-over-month headline and 0.2% core, alongside retail sales, PPI, and weekly jobless claims data that week; hotter-than-expected prints could lift two-year yields and push DXY higher, while softer readings might ease December hike pricing and prompt near-term consolidation.