USD/JPY Analysis: bullish but waiting for the Fed

Valeria Bednarik FXStreet

USD/JPY Current Price: 108.17

Japanese Merchandise Trade Balance seen posting a deficit of ¥-355.9B in August.
US Federal Reserve to unveil its latest monetary policy decision this Wednesday.
USD/JPY holding on higher ground, focus on 109.31, August high.

The USD/JPY pair has peaked at 108.36 this Tuesday, its highest in seven weeks during Asian trading hours, but spent the rest of the day consolidating a few pips below that level. The pair was unable to extend gains despite a better market mood, as the market chose to sell the greenback. Furthermore, government bond yields remained under pressure ahead of the US Federal Reserve meeting, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note slipping to 1.79% and finishing the day at around 1.81%.

Japan didn’t release relevant macroeconomic data so far this week but will do so early Wednesday, presenting August Merchandise Trade Balance. The market is expecting a deficit of ¥-355.9B and a large decline in exports and imports. The pair could show a little reaction to news and sentiment ahead of the US Federal Reserve monetary policy announcement later in the day.

USD/JPY short-term technical outlook

The USD/JPY pair is neutral-to-bullish in the short-term, and according to the 4 hours chart, as it spent the day consolidating just above a mild-bullish 20 SMA, while technical indicators hold above their midlines, but without directional strength. The same chart shows that the 100 SMA advances above the 200 SMA, both below the 107.00 level. The pair could find some directional momentum with the Fed, with the bullish case set to remain in place as long as it holds above 107.45. The natural bullish target is August high at 109.31, although the Fed´s decision is in the way, and could well be a game-changer for the dollar.

Support levels: 107.90 107.45 107.10

Resistance levels: 108.25 108.50 108.80

View Live Chart for the USD/JPY

Author

Valeria Bednarik

FXStreet

Valeria Bednarik was born and lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her passion for math and numbers pushed her into studying economics in her younger years.

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