|

USD/JPY analysis: flat amid limited demand for safe-havens

USD/JPY Current price: 111.12

  • Japanese economic growth beat the market's expectations in Q2.
  • The USD/JPY pair continues ranging as both currencies are treated equally in its relation to risk.

The USD/JPY pair has spent the day confined to a well-limited range around the 111.00 figure, as safe-haven assets fell outside investors' interest at the beginning of the week. Data coming from Japan was unable to affect the pair, as usual, but the country released Q2 GDP which was up yearly basis 3.0%, beating market's forecast for 2.6%, and well above the previous 1.9%. Quarterly basis, economic growth was of 0.7%, as expected. Meanwhile, US Treasury yields hovered around their Friday's closing levels, failing to provide fresh directional clues to USD/JPY, while European and US indexes hovered around their opening levels all through the sessions.  The upcoming Asian session won't bring much of relevance, as the Asian country will release money figures and Machine Tool Orders for August.

The technical picture is neutral, as the pair has been ranging pretty much since mid-August. The short-term picture is neutral-to-bullish, as, in the 4 hours chart, the price continues moving around horizontal and parallel 100 and 200 SMA, both indicating the absence of a clear directional trend, while technical indicators entered positive ground, the Momentum heading north but the RSI now flat around 51. The pair would need to clear the resistance area between 111.40 and 111.50 to be able to extend its gains up to 112.14, August high and a key breakout point.

Support levels: 110.90 110.65 110.25   

Resistance levels: 111.45 111.80 112.15

View Live Chart for the USD/JPY

Author

Valeria Bednarik

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.

More from Valeria Bednarik
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD hits two-day highs near 1.1820

EUR/USD picks up pace and reaches two-day tops around 1.1820 at the end of the week. The pair’s move higher comes on the back of renewed weakness in the US Dollar amid growing talk that the Fed could deliver an interest rate cut as early as March. On the docket, the flash US Consumer Sentiment improves to 57.3 in February.

GBP/USD reclaims 1.3600 and above

GBP/USD reverses two straight days of losses, surpassing the key 1.3600 yardstick on Friday. Cable’s rebound comes as the Greenback slips away from two-week highs in response to some profit-taking mood and speculation of Fed rate cuts. In addition, hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill are also collaborating with the quid’s improvement.

Gold climbs further, focus is back to 45,000

Gold regains upside traction and surpasses the $4,900 mark per troy ounce at the end of the week, shifting its attention to the critical $5,000 region. The move reflects a shift in risk sentiment, driving flows back towards traditional safe haven assets and supporting the yellow metal.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP rebound amid risk-off, $2.6 billion liquidation wave

Bitcoin edges up above $65,000 at the time of writing on Friday, as dust from the recent macro-triggered sell-off settles. The leading altcoin, Ethereum, hovers above $1,900, but resistance at $2,000 caps the upside. Meanwhile, Ripple has recorded the largest intraday jump among the three assets, up over 10% to $1.35.

Three scenarios for Japanese Yen ahead of snap election

The latest polls point to a dominant win for the ruling bloc at the upcoming Japanese snap election. The larger Sanae Takaichi’s mandate, the more investors fear faster implementation of tax cuts and spending plans. 

XRP rally extends as modest ETF inflows support recovery

Ripple is accelerating its recovery, trading above $1.36 at the time of writing on Friday, as investors adjust their positions following a turbulent week in the broader crypto market. The remittance token is up over 21% from its intraday low of $1.12.