1225 GMT - The U.S. dollar's gains after better-than-expected U.S. economic data and the Federal Reserve's meeting minutes probably won't last, MUFG Bank's Derek Halpenny says in a note. Data Wednesday on durable goods, housing and industrial production exceeded expectations, while the Fed's minutes showed caution over further interest rate cuts. However, dollar sentiment is likely to remain fragile as long as Donald Trump remains president given his policy unpredictability and threats to the Fed's independence, he says. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett criticized New York Fed analysis on tariffs, providing an example of how the White House could interfere with Fed independence, he says. The DXY dollar index rises to a near two-week high of 97.798. (renae.dyer@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 19, 2026 07:25 ET (12:25 GMT)

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