USD/JPY remains within a consolidative theme – UOB

Pablo Piovano FXStreet

FX Strategists at UOB Group expect USD/JPY to stay side-lined for the time being.

Key Quotes

24-hour view: “We highlighted yesterday ‘USD could ease from here but any weakness is likely limited to 109.65’. USD subsequently dipped to 109.60 before trading sideways for the rest of the sessions. While the underlying tone still appears to be on the soft side, this would likely translate into a lower trading range of 109.50/110.00 (a sustained decline below 109.50 is not expected).”

Next 1-3 weeks: “USD edged above 110.00 yesterday and touched 110.13. While upward momentum has not improved by much, the firm underlying tone suggests USD could edge upwards and test the top of our expected 109.20/110.30 sideway-trading range (narrowed from 109.00/110.30). As highlighted on Tuesday (11 Feb, spot at 109.75), the top of the range at 110.30 appears to be more vulnerable but USD has to register a NY closing above this level or the next resistance at 110.65 is unlikely to come into the picture. Overall, the current mild upward pressure could improve further as long as USD does not move below the bottom of the expected range at 109.30.”

Author

Pablo Piovano

FXStreet

Born and bred in Argentina, Pablo has been carrying on with his passion for FX markets and trading since his first college years.

EUR/USD looks weak below 1.1800

EUR/USD has slipped back under pressure, breaking through the 1.1800 support and drifting towards the weekly lows near 1.1770 ahead of the opening bell in Asia. The move reflects renewed strength in the US Dollar, with steady geopolitical tensions keeping its demand firm. Moving forward, the release of the German labour market report and flash inflation figures should keep European investors entertained on Friday.

GBP/USD threatens the 200-day SMA near 1.3440

GBP/USD rapidly leaves behind Wednesday’s strong advance, coming under heavy pressure and retesting the 1.3440 zone, where the critical 200-day SMA is located. Cable’s deep pullback follows the strong gains in the Greenback, while investors continue to pencil in a potential BoE rate cut in March.

Gold trims gains, slips back to around $5,170

Gold is now facing some downside pressure, hovering around the $5,170 region on Thursday. The yellow metal surrenders part of its earlier gains on the back of the resurgence of the buying interest in the Greenback. In the meantime, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to limit the downside potential for now.