BoJ preview: Focus on assessment, policy adjustments but no easing – Danske Bank


Senior Analyst, Morten Helt at Danske Bank, suggests that they do not expect the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to ease monetary policy as such but expect it to adjust its policy framework by abandoning calendar-based communications on when it expects to reach the 2% target and instead pursue 2% inflation ‘at the earliest possible stage’.

Key Quotes 

“Assessment to focus on factors that have potentially hampered achievement of the 2% price stability and the cost and benefits of negative interest rates.

We expect the BoJ to maintain its negative interest rate policy and keep the door open for additional rate cuts in the future. In addition, we expect it to adopt a more flexible approach to its quantitative target for annual increases in the balance of JGB purchases.

In our main scenario, we think that the BoJ will disappoint relative to market pricing, suggesting that USD/JPY is likely to trade lower on the announcement and temporarily fall back for a new test of the 100 level.

On a 3-12M horizon, we still do not see any strong case for a trend in USD/JPY. We target USD/JPY at 102 in 3M and 104 in 6-12M. However, we see tail risks skewed to USD/JPY upside in the event of a surprise move from the BoJ and/or the Fed, and we think USD/JPY risk reversals offer an attractive risk/reward when positioning for a higher USD/JPY.”

Share: Feed news

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.

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD deflates to three-day lows around 1.1130

EUR/USD deflates to three-day lows around 1.1130

The euro remains under heavy pressure on Friday, with EUR/USD retreating toward the 1.1130 level to hit new three-day troughs. Despite a weaker reading in the U-Mich index in May, the US Dollar found support as inflation expectations ticked higher.

GBP/USD slips back to 1.3250 on USD-buying

GBP/USD slips back to 1.3250 on USD-buying

GBP/USD recedes to the mid-1.3200s on Friday session, as the Greenback regains ground against the broadeer risk-linked universe. Supporting the upside in the US Dollar comes a rise in US consumer inflation expectations, according to the latest data from the U-Mich survey.

Gold looks depressed below $3,200

Gold looks depressed below $3,200

Gold reversed course on Friday, falling sharply below the $3,200 mark after Thursday’s strong rally. The retreat came as a resurgent US Dollar and easing geopolitical tensions weighed on demand for the safe-haven metal. Furthermore, XAU/USD remained under pressure and is on track to log its biggest weekly loss of the year.

Is Ethereum's comeback real?

Is Ethereum's comeback real?

Ethereum price hovers above $2,500 on Friday after soaring nearly 100% since early April's bottom. The ETH Pectra upgrade has boosted over 11,000 EIP-7702 authorizations in a week, indicating healthy uptake by wallets and dApps.

Trump’s Middle East dealmaking blitz: What does it mean for investors?

Trump’s Middle East dealmaking blitz: What does it mean for investors?

President Donald Trump’s May 2025 Middle East visit has unleashed a flurry of mega-deals, aimed at deepening U.S. trade ties, correcting trade imbalances, and reinforcing America’s leadership in defense and technology exports.

The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD

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.

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures

Best Brokers of 2025