- AUD/JPY stages a modest recovery from a nearly one-month low touched earlier this Friday.
- The mostly upbeat Chinese macro data underpins the Aussie and lends support to spot prices.
- Bets for another BoJ rate hike next week favors the JPY bulls and cap the upside for the cross.
The AUD/JPY cross recovers slightly from a nearly one-month low, around the 96.26 region touched during the Asian session on Friday and for now, seems to have snapped a two-day losing streak. Spot prices stick to modest intraday gains near mid-96.00s following the release of Chinese macro data, though the fundamental backdrop warrants some caution for bullish traders.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that China's economy expanded by 5.4% over the year in the fourth quarter of 2024 after recording a 4.6% growth in the previous quarter. This was well above consensus estimates for a reading of 5% and was accompanied by better-than-expected Retail Sales, which increased by 3.7% in December as compared to 3% prior. Adding to this, Industrial Production arrived at 6.2% vs. 5.4% forecast, while the Fixed Asset Investment advanced 3.2% year-to-date (YTD) YoY in December, providing a modest lift to the China-proxy Aussie.
Apart from this, a modest downtick in the Japanese Yen (JPY) lends some support to the AUD/JPY cross. Any meaningful JPY depreciation, however, seems elusive in the wake of rising bets that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) will hike interest rates again next week. The expectations were reaffirmed by the recent remarks from BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda and Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino. This, along with a softer risk tone and worries about US President-elect Donald Trump's tariff plans, could underpin the safe-haven JPY and cap the perceived riskier Australian Dollar (AUD).
Furthermore, the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) dovish shift warrants some caution before positioning for any further near-term appreciating move for the AUD/JPY cross. Traders might also opt to move to the sidelines and keenly await the highly-anticipated BoJ monetary policy meeting on January 23-24 to confirm the next leg of a directional move for spot prices.
Economic Indicator
Gross Domestic Product (YoY)
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), released by the National Bureau of Statistics of China on a monthly basis, is a measure of the total value of all goods and services produced in China during a given period. The GDP is considered as the main measure of China’s economic activity. The YoY reading compares economic activity in the reference quarter compared with the same quarter a year earlier. Generally speaking, a rise in this indicator is bullish for the Renminbi (CNY), while a low reading is seen as bearish.
Read more.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD consolidates near two-week high, looks to US NFP for fresh impetus
AUD/USD holds steady around the 0.6335 area during the Asian session on Friday as traders now await the US NFP report. Bets that the Fed will cut rates further amid concerns over failing US economic growth keep the USD depressed near a multi-month low and act as a tailwind for spot prices, though tariff jitters warrant caution for bulls.
USD/JPY seems vulnerable amid divergent Fed-BoJ expectations; US NFP awaited
USD/JPY languishes near its lowest level since October touched on Thursday amid a bearish USD, led by bets that the Fed could cut rates multiple times in 2025 amid slowing US economic growth. Moreover, the hawkish sentiment surrounding the BoJ's policy outlook underpins the JPY and validates the negative bias for the pair.
Gold price remains depressed ahead of US NFP; trade jitters to limit losses
Gold price trades with negative bias for the second straight day, though a combination of factors continues to act as a tailwind ahead of the crucial US NFP report later this Friday. Rising trade tensions continue to weigh on investors' sentiment.
Crypto AI Tokens: Why FET, NEAR and RNDR could outperform BTC after White House Summit
The White House Crypto Summit is scheduled to hold on Friday. Rather than double-down on BTC, sector-wide price trends show that investors are leaning towards Crypto AI altcoins.
Make Europe great again? Germany’s fiscal shift is redefining the European investment playbook
For years, Europe has been synonymous with slow growth, fiscal austerity, and an overreliance on monetary policy to keep its economic engine running. But a major shift is now underway. Germany, long the poster child of fiscal discipline, is cracking open the purse strings, and the ripple effects could be huge.
The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD
SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.