|

USD/JPY analysis: looking for a test of 112.20

USD/JPY Current price: 112.73

  • Wall Street's collapse and plummeting yields sent the JPY higher.
  • Japan's November Services PMI up next, latest at 52.4.

The Japanese yen appreciated against its American rival on safe-haven demand, as Wall Street collapsed why US Treasury yields were also sharply lower, stirring concerns about slowing economic growth in the US. Easing trade tensions weren't enough to keep the mood up, moreover, after speculative interest reassessed the weekend news,  full of good intentions but with little of substance toward a possible deal. As for US Treasury yields, long-term ones plunged, while those with shorter maturity remained well anchored. The yield for the 10-year Treasury note touched 2.89% settling at its lowest since last June.  There were no relevant news in Japan and the country will only see the release of the November Services PMI during the upcoming session, latest at 52.4.

The USD/JPY pair is at 2-week lows and bearish according to technical readings. The main target, should the pair remain below the 113.00 level, is 112.20, where the pair has its 100 DMA. Short-term, and according to the 4 hours chart, the downward momentum is strong, as the pair has fallen below its 100 and 200 SMA, with the shortest one accelerating its decline above the larger one, and technical indicators maintaining their downward slopes near oversold readings.

Support levels: 112.55 112.20 111.85

Resistance levels: 113.00 113.35 113.70

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: US Dollar to remain pressured until uncertainty fog dissipates

Unimpressive European Central Bank left monetary policy unchanged for the fifth consecutive meeting. The United States first-tier employment and inflation data is scheduled for the second week of February. EUR/USD battles to remain afloat above 1.1800, sellers moving to the sidelines.

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: Volatility persists in commodity space

After losing more than 8% to end the previous week, Gold remained under heavy selling pressure on Monday and dropped toward $4,400. Although XAU/USD staged a decisive rebound afterward, it failed to stabilize above $5,000. The US economic calendar will feature Nonfarm Payrolls and Consumer Price Index data for January, which could influence the market pricing of the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook and impact Gold’s performance.

Week ahead: US NFP and CPI data to shake Fed cut bets, Japan election looms

US NFP and CPI data awaited after Warsh’s nomination as Fed chief. Yen traders lock gaze on Sunday’s snap election. UK and Eurozone Q4 GDP data also on the agenda. China CPI and PPI could reveal more weakness in domestic demand.

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.