Trades for 2014

EUR/USD is keeping its foot on the gas at the start of the week, reclaiming the 1.1900 barrier and above on Monday. The US Dollar remains on the back foot, with traders reluctant to step in ahead of Wednesday’s key January jobs report, allowing the pair to extend its upward grind for now.

USD/JPY is pulling back sharply at the start of the week, slipping back toward the 155.50 area as speculation mounts that authorities could step in to rein in further Yen weakness. That narrative gained traction after PM S. Takaichi secured a landslide victory in Sunday’s election, stoking expectations of a tougher line in defence of the domestic currency.

Gold is trading in an inconclusive fashion around the key $5,000 mark on Monday week. Support is coming from fresh signs of further buying from the PBoC, while expectations that the Fed could turn more dovish, alongside concerns over its independence, keep the demand for the precious metal running.

Bitcoin hovers around $70,000, up near 15% from last week's low of $60,000 despite low retail demand. Ethereum delicately holds $2,000 support as weak technicals weigh amid declining futures Open Interest. XRP seeks support above $1.40 after facing rejection at $1.54 during the previous week's sharp rebound.

I do not think I would be exaggerating to say that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s snap general election gamble paid off over the weekend – and then some. This secured the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) an unprecedented mandate just three months into her tenure.

The JPY gathers strength against its major rivals to start the week as markets react to Sanae Takaichi's historic election victory. In the second half of the day, policymakers from the ECB, the Fed and the BoE will be delivering speeches.