|

USD/JPY bulls look to take back the 114 handle

  • USD/JPY rose from 113.60 to 114.00 to score a one-month high with the widening of UST-JGB yield spreads across the curve-supporting the upside.
  • USD/JPY is now attempting a recovery back through 114 the figure in Tokyo. 

USD/JPY has been better bid following the results of the US elections and FOMC that maintained the sentiment that has carried the dollar higher since April this year. As analysts at Westpac explained. the Fed voted unanimously to leave interest rates steady, their statement including just a couple minor edits and overall continuing to acknowledge the robust economy and more gradual rate increases:

"Business investment was characterised as having, "moderated from its rapid pace earlier this year", a downgrade from "grown strongly", otherwise the Fed continues to note brisk conditions, repeatedly using “strong” to characterise  the labour market, household spending and broader activity. The Fed provided no explicit signal for a December hike but that's not necessary with markets almost fully pricing one in."

As far as yields played out overnight, the US 10yr treasury yield ranged sideways between 3.21% and 3.23%, while 2yr yields ranged between 2.94% and 2.96%. Fed fund futures yields continued to price the chance of another rate hike in December at 80%.

USD/JPY levels

  • Support levels: 113.85 113.40 113.00. 
  • Resistance level: 114.10 114.55 114.90.

Valeria Bednarik, Chief Analyst at FXStreet explained that technically, the 4 hours chart for the pair shows that the price is further above its 100 and 200 SMA which gain upward traction over 100 pips below the current level, while technical indicators reached overbought readings, now stabilizing at daily highs, with no directional strength but still maintaining the risk skewed to the upside. "Further gains above 114.10 should spur demand for the pair, with the next probable bullish target at 114.54, October monthly high."

Author

Ross J Burland

Ross J Burland, born in England, UK, is a sportsman at heart. He played Rugby and Judo for his county, Kent and the South East of England Rugby team.

More from Ross J Burland
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD recedes to daily lows near 1.1850

EUR/USD keeps its bearish momentum well in place, slipping back to the area of 1.1850 to hit daily lows on Monday. The pair’s continuation of the leg lower comes amid decent gains in the US Dollar in a context of scarce volatility and thin trade conditions due to the inactivity in the US markets.

GBP/USD resumes the downtrend, back to the low-1.3600s

GBP/USD rapidly leaves behind Friday’s decent advance, refocusing on the downside and retreating to the 1.3630 region at the beginning of the week. In the meantime, the British Pound is expected to remain under the microscope ahead of the release of the key UK labour market report on Tuesday.

Gold looks inconclusive around $5,000

Gold partially fades Friday’s strong recovery, orbiting around the key $5,000 region per troy ounce in a context of humble gains in the Greenback on Monday. Additing to the vacillating mood, trade conditions remain thin amid the observance of the Presidents Day holiday in the US.

Bitcoin consolidates as on-chain data show mixed signals

Bitcoin price has consolidated between $65,700 and $72,000 over the past nine days, with no clear directional bias. US-listed spot ETFs recorded a $359.91 million weekly outflow, marking the fourth consecutive week of withdrawals.

The week ahead: Key inflation readings and why the AI trade could be overdone

It is likely to be a quiet start to the week, with US markets closed on Monday for Presidents Day. European markets are higher across the board and gold is clinging to the $5,000 level after the tamer than expected CPI report in the US reduced haven flows to precious metals.

XRP steadies in narrow range as fund inflows, futures interest rise

Ripple is trading in a narrow range between $1.45 (immediate support) and $1.50 (resistance) at the time of writing on Monday. The remittance token extended its recovery last week, peaking at $1.67 on Sunday from the weekly open at $1.43.