Japanese Yen: Pressure persists toward 162 against US Dollar – Scotiabank

FXStreet Insights Team FXStreet

Scotiabank strategists Shaun Osborne and Eric Theoret report USD/JPY is steady but elevated, with recent gains already surpassing prior intervention-trigger levels. A 25 bps Bank of Japan (BoJ) hike on Tuesday is widely anticipated, and markets price nearly one more increase by December. They flag concerns over communication as Governor Ueda will not attend, and see limited resistance up to 162 with support in the 156–158 band.

Yen weakness raises intervention concerns

"The yen’s ongoing weakness is a worry for market participants, government officials, and central bank policymakers, sparking concerns of intervention in the former as the latter consider the implications for inflation."

"The latest weakness in spot (gains for USD/JPY) have already cleared levels that sparked earlier currency management activities (price checking in January, intervention in late April/early May)."

"Domestic releases have been limited and the calendar is empty ahead of Tuesday’s BoJ rate decision. A 25 bps hike is widely anticipated and markets are pricing nearly one additional hike by December."

"Gov. Ueda is not attending, leaving market participants somewhat concerned about the central bank’s communication specifically the post meeting press conference."

"For USD/JPY, we see limited resistance between current spot and 162 and we would anticipate support in the 156/158 range."

(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor.)

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

FXStreet

The FXStreet Insights Team is a group of journalists that handpicks selected market observations published by renowned experts. The content includes notes by commercial as well as additional insights by internal and external analysts.

AUD/USD flatlines near 0.6965 as less hawkish RBA counters USD weakness

AUD/USD holds steady above a two-week low, trading near 0.6965 in the Asian session on Wednesday as early midterm election results heighten political uncertainty and weigh heavily on the US Dollar. Moreover, reviving safe-haven demand triggers a fresh leg down in US bond yields, offsetting Fed hike bets and exerting additional pressure on the buck. However, a less hawkish RBA caps the Aussie.

USD/JPY declines below 158.00 as USD weakens on midterm election results

USD/JPY comes under heavy selling pressure on Wednesday, dropping below 158.00 during the Asian session as the US Dollar slumps to a one-month low amid heightened political uncertainty after early US midterm vote counts. Moreover, the prospect of gridlock in Washington drives safe-haven flows, triggering a fresh leg down in US bond yields and further weighing on the buck.

Gold continues scaling new weekly highs; eyes $4,050 as US sticks to elections-led losses

Gold builds on its strong intraday move up, hitting a series of new weekly tops, and climbing back close to the $4,050 level during the first half of the European session amid a broadly weaker US Dollar. Democrats’ wins in the House and Senate raise the prospect of gridlock in Washington. Moreover, heightened political uncertainty drove investors to safe-haven assets, exerting some downward pressure on US bond yields. This is seen weighing on the Greenback and supporting the precious metal.

Bitcoin tests critical support, Ethereum struggles below resistance, XRP extends losses

Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) remain under pressure on Wednesday as bearish momentum continues to weigh on prices. BTC approaches key support around $76,466, and a decisive close below could open the door to deeper losses. Meanwhile, ETH struggles below key resistance while XRP faces rejection at the upper trendline of a falling channel pattern, all hinting at deeper losses.

ADP Employment Report expected to show slower job growth in October

The Automatic Data Processing Research Institute is due to release October’s private-sector employment report on Wednesday. The market consensus anticipates a moderate slowdown in job creation, with the ADP Employment Change expected to show 69K new private jobs in October, down from 90K in September.

The 2% inflation target came from a throwaway remark. It now moves trillions

The Federal Reserve's 2% inflation goal grew out of an off-the-cuff remark by a New Zealand politician in 1988. Bond investors still price long-term US debt as if 2% holds, so a change in how the Fed measures inflation would move markets.