USD/JPY struggles to hold above 104.60 with the yen picking up

USD/JPY accelerates its reversal below 105.00 to reach 104.55 area.
The yen appreciates on coronavirus concerns.
The dollar remains bullish while above 104.40 – UOB.

Guillermo Alcala FXStreet

The USD/JPY has accelerated its downtrend from week highs at 105.65 after breaking below 105.00 on Friday and is testing support at the 104.55/60 area. The greenback has been giving away gains after Monday’s rally although still 1.2% higher on the week.

The yen appreciates on COVID-19 concerns

The safe-haven Japanese yen has appreciated across the board over the last two days, fuelled by market concerns about the economic consequences of the second coronavirus wave that is hitting the US and Europe. The sharp increase of infections and deaths has cooled off the market's enthusiasm about a potential vaccine seen earlier this week.

Furthermore, US Treasury Bond yields, one of the main reasons behind the dollar rally, have continued retreating, which has weighed on USD demand. The yield for the 10-year US Treasury note has dropped to 0.88% after having peaked at 0.97% on Wednesday, its highest level since the first pandemic outbreak in March.

USD/JPY remains biased higher while above 104.40 – UOB

The FX Analysis Team at UOBis still bullish about the USD contemplating a retest of 106.10: “As highlighted, there is ‘room for the current strong advance in USD to test the major resistance at 106.10’. At this stage, the odds for a sustained rise above this level are not high. On the downside, a break of 104.40 (‘strong support’ level previously at 104.00) would indicate that USD is not ready for 106.10.”

Technical levels to watch

USD/JPY

Overview
Today last price	104.6
Today Daily Change	-0.53
Today Daily Change %	-0.50
Today daily open	105.13

Trends
Daily SMA20	104.77
Daily SMA50	105.23
Daily SMA100	105.84
Daily SMA200	106.92

Levels
Previous Daily High	105.48
Previous Daily Low	105.07
Previous Weekly High	105.35
Previous Weekly Low	103.18
Previous Monthly High	106.11
Previous Monthly Low	104.03
Daily Fibonacci 38.2%	105.23
Daily Fibonacci 61.8%	105.32
Daily Pivot Point S1	104.98
Daily Pivot Point S2	104.82
Daily Pivot Point S3	104.57
Daily Pivot Point R1	105.38
Daily Pivot Point R2	105.64
Daily Pivot Point R3	105.79

Author

Guillermo Alcala

FXStreet

Graduated in Communication Sciences at the Universidad del Pais Vasco and Universiteit van Amsterdam, Guillermo has been working as financial news editor and copywriter in diverse Forex-related firms, like FXStreet and Kantox.

GBP/USD surges to multi-day peaks past 1.3250

GBP/USD leaves behind Friday’s small pullback and advances past 1.3250 level, or five-day highs, on Monday. Cable’s upside follows extra losses in the Greenback, while traders continue to assess the geopolitical front and upcoming key events.

EUR/USD softens to near 1.1400 as ECB tightening bets fade

The EUR/USD pair trades with mild losses around 1.1415 during the early Asian session on Tuesday. The Euro softens against the US Dollar as traders reduce their bets on the European Central Bank rate hikes this year.

Gold tumbles 1.5% to fresh seven-month lows below $3,950

Gold remains under strong selling pressure for the second straight day early Tuesday, refreshing seven-month lows below $3,950. Renewed US-Iran hostilities over the weekend cast doubts over the sustainability of the peace deal. This, along with elevated expectations for Fed rate hikes, offers some support to the US Dollar and undermines the bullion.

Bitcoin stalls at $60K as buyer conviction fades, Strategy authorizes BTC sales

Bitcoin is trading around the $60,000 level on Monday after a sharp decline last week. With the top crypto struggling to recover, analysts suggest the market remains firmly in defensive territory as investors await stronger signs of demand.

Just like Fed, is BoJ’s independence under threat?

When talking about central bank independence, most of the focus has been on Donald Trump’s pressure on the Federal Reserve. But a similar story, a quieter one for now, seems to be happening on the other side of the Pacific: Japan’s government may be testing the Bank of Japan’s independence.

Kevin Warsh isn't expected to say much in Sintra: That's exactly why markets will listen

Financial markets could find an important catalyst in the enchanting, fairytale-like landscape of Sintra this week. The ECB Forum will, as it does every year, gather the crème de la crème of central banks. The new boss at the Fed, who has clearly said that the Fed should stop explaining everything, will need to talk – and traders should listen.