|

Japan inflation, is the carrytrade dead?

Important News for the day

  • Fri, 23rd, 08:00 CET UK Retail Sales.

  • Fri, 23rd, 14:30 CET CA Retail Sales.    

Oil prices

Positive PMI data in general helped financial markets to remain stable. In particular the data from the US currently suggests that the situation might remain positive for now until hard data might follow towards the end of the year. German numbers on the other hand still continue to offer a careful approach with in particular the PMI data in the services sector heading lower. Government debt continues to be the driver in markets. In Japan inflation seems to rise further, leaving the BoJ at a critical situation: due to the high debt they aren’t able to raise rates but would need to do so to reduce inflation. The USDJPY currency pair remains responsive and might fall further as the interest rate differential might weaken rather sooner than later.

Market talk

Stock markets continue to remain slightly shaky as new worries flare up. Renewed questions in regards to the tariffs between the US and China keep coming, which causes the focus to move towards safe assets like Gold. Also Bitcoin prices have exploded higher, breaking above the technical resistance zone at 110,000. Meanwhile the trust in the Dollar seems to get eroded further as the DXY suggests. the Dollar index might fall further showing a break of an important support zone to the downside. The weakness continues to support XAU and XAG in particular for now.

Tendencies in the markets

  • Equities sideways, USD weaker, Bitcoin strong, Altcoins positive, oil weaker, Silver positive, Gold positive, JPY stronger

Author

Frank Walbaum

Frank Walbaum

FX Strategies.Asia

Frank has been working in the TV business for several years. Acquiring his skills in Germany’s biggest broadcasting station, he then chose to work and live in Asia, which was in 2007.

More from Frank Walbaum
Share:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD bounces toward 1.1750 as US Dollar loses strength

EUR/USD returned to the 1.1750 price zone in the American session on Friday, despite falling Wall Street, which indicates risk aversion. Trading conditions remain thin following the New Year holiday and ahead of the weekend, with the focus shifting to US employment and European data scheduled for next week.

GBP/USD nears 1.3500, holds within familiar levels

After testing 1.3400 on the last day of 2025, GBP/USD managed to stage a rebound. Nevertheless, the pair finds it difficult to gather momentum and trades with modest intraday gains at around 1.3490 as market participants remain in holiday mood.

Gold trims intraday gains, approaches $4,300

Gold retreated sharply from the $4,400  area and trades flat for the day in the $4,320 price zone. Choppy trading conditions exacerbated the intraday decline, although XAU/USD bearish case is out of the picture, considering growing expectations for a dovish Fed and persistent geopolitical tensions.

Cardano gains early New Year momentum, bulls target falling wedge breakout

Cardano kicks off the New Year on a positive note and is extending gains, trading above $0.36 at the time of writing on Friday. Improving on-chain and derivatives data point to growing bullish interest, while the technical outlook keeps an upside breakout in focus.

Economic outlook 2026-2027 in advanced countries: Solidity test

After a year marked by global economic resilience and ending on a note of optimism, 2026 looks promising and could be a year of solid economic performance. In our baseline scenario, we expect most of the supportive factors at work in 2025 to continue to play a role in 2026.

Crypto market outlook for 2026

Year 2025 was volatile, as crypto often is.  Among positive catalysts were favourable regulatory changes in the U.S., rise of Digital Asset Treasuries (DAT), adoption of AI and tokenization of Real-World-Assets (RWA).