Yen in Risk Off Mode while Stocks are Near All Time Highs
|Non-farm Payroll data was released this morning and the headline number was better than expected. As a result, stock markets are up at or near 1% on the day, closing in once again on all time highs.
Source: Tradingview, FOREX.com, CME
As one would expect, with a strong move higher in stocks, USD/.JPY would follow. But take a look at the price action in USD/JPY since the initial move after the NFP data was released:
Source: Tradingview, FOREX.com
USD/JPY is actually down slightly on the day! On a daily timeframe, the pair couldn’t close about the 109.50 level, and therefore failed to break above the neckline of the inverted head and shoulders pattern. In addition, that level represented the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level from the highs of April 24th to the lows on August 26th. Also, a rising wedge was formed, and price broke lower out of the wedge. (The target for a break from a rising wedge is 100% of the wedge, which would be near the 104.50 level.) USD/JPY closed back below 109.00 on Monday, and then below the 200 Day moving average on Tuesday. The pair hasn’t been able to close above it since Friday of last week.
Source: Tradingview, FOREX.com
Traditionally, stocks and USD/JPY move together. However, take a look at how the 2 assets have diverged over the last two days.
Source: Tradingview, FOREX.com, CME
First support now comes in at Wednesday’s lows and the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level from the lows on October 3rd to the highs on December 2nd near 108.40/50. Below there is horizonal support near 108.25. But the ultimate support doesn’t come across until 104.50, which is the low from August 23rd, however there are various horizontal support levels all the way down to that level.
Source: Tradingview, FOREX.com
That leads us to beg the question….What happens to USD/JPY if stocks begin to sell off next week? More specifically, what happens to USD/JPY (and other JPY pairs) if there is a hawkish statement from the FOMC on Wednesday? Or what happens to the pair if Boris Johnson loses the election on Thursday? Or what happens if a US-China trade deal is off the table? The risk is that stocks will move lower. And if that is the case, USD/JPY may be ready for a move even lower with them!
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers.