USD/JPY Price Analysis: Could be coiling ahead of a significant breakout


  • USD/JPY bulls eye 137.50/70 and then a full 100 pips of the same until the 139s.
  •  On the downside, 136.50 and 136.20 align with the neckline of a harmonic pattern. 

USD/JPY is in a state of consolidation, coiling below the breakout of the daily trendline support of the prior bullish cycle. The following illustrates the prospects of a downside continuation:

USD/JPY daily chart

Zoomed in ...

The coil is an explosive chart pattern that would expect to see some testing of the boundaries before a decisive breakout one way or the other. however, in this case, this is an ascending triangle in a downtrend, a continuation pattern. Therefore, the bias is to the downside, especially given that the price is now on the backside of the prior dominant trend. What we might see, is some pre-breakout mitigation of the price imbalances as illustrated below.

USD/JPY H4 charts

Zoomed in ... 

The W-formation can be considered as a bearish harmonic pattern whereby, at some stage, the bullish phase would be expected to peter out and result in a downside correction. There are two key areas of interest between then and now. The first is the price imbalance between 137.50/70 and then a full 100 pips of the same until the 139s. On the downside, there is an imbalance of price between 136.50 and 136.20 which is compelling and also align with the neckline of the harmonic pattern. A break there following the tests of the upside could be significant with regard to a downside breakout. 

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.

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


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD grinds higher toward 1.0900, Fedspeak eyed

EUR/USD grinds higher toward 1.0900, Fedspeak eyed

EUR/USD is edging higher toward 1.0900 early Monday, helped by a better market mood. The pair also draws support from softer US Dollar and US Treasury bond yields, awaiting Fedspeak amid light European trading. 

EUR/USD News

Gold price rises to a new record high, escalating geopolitical tensions in focus

Gold price rises to a new record high, escalating geopolitical tensions in focus

Gold price gains momentum on Monday. The yellow metal hit a record high near $2,441 during the Asian session on Monday amid renewed hopes for interest rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Gold News

GBP/USD advances to near 1.2700 due to rising expectations for Fed rate cuts in 2024

GBP/USD advances to near 1.2700 due to rising expectations for Fed rate cuts in 2024

GBP/USD extends its gains for the second consecutive session, trading around 1.2710 during the Asian hours on Monday. A weaker US Dollar supports the pair. The Pound Sterling may face a challenge as the BoE is expected to deliver 60 basis points rate cuts in 2024.

GBP/USD News

Week Ahead: Ethereum and DeFi to come under spotlight this week Premium

Week Ahead: Ethereum and DeFi to come under spotlight this week

Bitcoin’s attempt at a comeback has stirred the pot, causing altcoins to become volatile again. With the US Securities and Exchange Commission set to make its decision on Ethereum ETFs this week, some sectors of altcoins might see higher liquidity and volatility than others. 

Read more

Will they/won’t they cut rates as commodity prices in focus

Will they/won’t they cut rates as commodity prices in focus

What a difference a couple of days make. One day stock markets are making record highs and banking on rate cuts, the next stocks are giving back gains and rate cut expectations are being pared back. 

Read more

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures