• Since yesterday, the USD/JPY price has been steady bullish around the 157.95 resistance level.
• It reached the 158.26 resistance level last week, as investors continued to assess the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy outlook considering its latest decision.

Last week, the Bank of Japan left interest rates unchanged as widely expected, and said it would maintain the current pace of Japanese government bond purchases.

However, the BOJ added that it will release a plan to reduce its bond-buying program at its next policy meeting in July. Also, BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda warned that currency movements have a significant impact on the economy and prices, a notable change from previous comments that a weak yen has little impact on inflation.

According to currency trading platforms, the Japanese yen fell sharply and approached its lowest levels in three decades after the decision. This was before reducing those losses as market participants shifted their focus to the expected reduction in bond purchases and the possibility of further currency intervention.

On the economic calendar data front, the University of Michigan’s US Consumer Confidence Index published its preliminary readings for June 2024. Its reading came after a one-year inflation reading of 3.5% for May 2024, the highest inflation reading the index has recorded since November 2023. Furthermore, inflation expectations for the coming year were unchanged this month at 3.3%, above the 2.3-3.0% range seen in the two years prior to the pandemic.

However, long-term inflation expectations rose from 3.0% last month to 3.1% this month. The June reading should be interpreted as essentially unchanged from May. Moreover, long-term inflation expectations have been remarkably stable over the past three years but remain elevated compared to the 2.2-2.6% range seen in the two years before the pandemic, said Joanne Hsu, director of consumer surveys.

Consumer sentiment was little changed in June; the month’s reading was a statistically insignificant 3.5 points lower than in May and within the margin of error. That means sentiment is about 31% higher than its June 2022 low amid rising inflation. Today’s consumer confidence reading came in at 65.6 for the June preliminary reading — well below expectations and from last month. Recently, the previous reading for the index was 67.4 for the May preliminary reading. Overall, analysts had expected a reading of around 72 for June, up from April’s reading of 69.1. That means today’s reading was well below market expectations for the month.

The monthly readings of the US Consumer Confidence Index released by the University of Michigan are seen as a measure of the American public’s confidence in the short- and medium-term health of the US economy. Markets such as the stock market are known to be influenced by the index, so the University of Michigan Consumer Confidence Index is often a leading indicator of how much consumers are spending, and therefore how much (or how little) the US economy is growing.

Ultimately, lower-than-expected or declining consumer confidence numbers are often a sign of slowing US economic growth, as well as for the US dollar. Conversely, a higher or above-expected reading can be seen as a bullish indicator for both the US dollar and the broader US economy. Also, it is one of the many metrics that the Federal Reserve closely watches and considers when it comes to making monetary policy decisions.

USD/JPY Technical Analysis and Expectations Today

Ahead of the important US retail sales figures, the USD/JPY pair is consolidating its broader bullish trajectory. There is a chance of a move towards the psychological resistance level of 160.00 if the US retail sales figures come in stronger than expected. Technically, this level may push the technical indicators towards strong overbought levels. On the other hand, according to the performance on the daily chart, moving towards the 155.00 level will be important to start breaking the general upward trend. So far, by considering that in the event of an expected Japanese intervention in the currency markets, the currency pair may be exposed to strong selling operations to take profits.

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• EUR/USD’s upside impetus faltered around 1.0760.
• The Greenback navigated an unconvincing range in the low-105.00s.
• Economic Sentiment in Germany fell short of estimates in June.

The US Dollar (USD) added to the negative start to the week and receded marginally on Tuesday, lending some tepid support to the risk complex and lifting EUR/USD to as high as the 1.0760 zone, where some initial resistance seems to have emerged.

The pair’s marginal advance also found support in somewhat subsiding political concerns in France, while poor data in the US docket weighed on the Greenback and re-ignited speculation of two interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (Fed) this year. 

Back to the Fed, the broad-based cautious tone from Fed policymakers on Tuesday seems to have limited the downside in the US Dollar. On this, Boston Federal Reserve President Susan Collins warned against overstating recent inflation data, stating that it was not the appropriate moment for the Fed to reduce interest rates. In addition, Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler noted that inflation is showing promising signs of moderating, but suggested that if economic conditions continue to improve, it would be suitable to consider lowering interest rates later this year. Her colleague, Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin, said he needed to analyze more months of economic data before supporting a rate cut.

According to the CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, the probability of lower interest rates by the September 18 meeting now stands at nearly 67%.

In the near term, the recent rate cut by the European Central Bank (ECB) in contrast to the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold rates has widened the policy divergence between the two central banks, potentially exposing EUR/USD to additional weakness.

However, looking ahead, the Eurozone’s emerging economic recovery and perceived slowdowns in the US economy are expected to help mitigate this discrepancy, offering some support to the currency pair.

Meanwhile, ECB Vice President Luis de Guindos emphasized that the optimal timing for rate decisions aligns with the release of the bank’s updated macroeconomic projections, scheduled for September.

Turning to domestic developments, Economic Sentiment in Germany saw a marginal improvement to 47.5 in June, while it rose to 51.3 for the broader euro area. Still in the region, final Inflation Rate figures indicated that the headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 2.6% YoY in May, with the core CPI rising by 2.9% over the same period.

EUR/USD daily chart

EUR/USD short-term technical outlook

If the downturn continues, EUR/USD might retest the June low of 1.0667 (June 14), ahead of the May low of 1.0649 (May 1), and finally the 2024 bottom of 1.0601 (April 16).

Looking higher, the 200-day SMA is at 1.0788, ahead of the weekly high of 1.0852 (June 12), followed by the June top of 1.0916 (June 4) and the March peak of 1.0981 (March 8). Further north, the weekly high of 1.0998 (January 11) precedes the critical 1.1000 level.

The 4-hour chart thus far indicates some signs of healing. Bulls should aim for 1.0810 before 1.0852, then 1.0916, and finally 1.0942. 1.0667 is the first number to fall, followed by 1.0649 and 1.0601. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) dropped to around 48.

• EUR/USD’s upside impetus faltered around 1.0760.
• The Greenback navigated an unconvincing range in the low-105.00s.
• Economic Sentiment in Germany fell short of estimates in June.

The US Dollar (USD) added to the negative start to the week and receded marginally on Tuesday, lending some tepid support to the risk complex and lifting EUR/USD to as high as the 1.0760 zone, where some initial resistance seems to have emerged.

The pair’s marginal advance also found support in somewhat subsiding political concerns in France, while poor data in the US docket weighed on the Greenback and re-ignited speculation of two interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (Fed) this year. 

Back to the Fed, the broad-based cautious tone from Fed policymakers on Tuesday seems to have limited the downside in the US Dollar. On this, Boston Federal Reserve President Susan Collins warned against overstating recent inflation data, stating that it was not the appropriate moment for the Fed to reduce interest rates. In addition, Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler noted that inflation is showing promising signs of moderating, but suggested that if economic conditions continue to improve, it would be suitable to consider lowering interest rates later this year. Her colleague, Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin, said he needed to analyze more months of economic data before supporting a rate cut.

According to the CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, the probability of lower interest rates by the September 18 meeting now stands at nearly 67%.

In the near term, the recent rate cut by the European Central Bank (ECB) in contrast to the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold rates has widened the policy divergence between the two central banks, potentially exposing EUR/USD to additional weakness.

However, looking ahead, the Eurozone’s emerging economic recovery and perceived slowdowns in the US economy are expected to help mitigate this discrepancy, offering some support to the currency pair.

Meanwhile, ECB Vice President Luis de Guindos emphasized that the optimal timing for rate decisions aligns with the release of the bank’s updated macroeconomic projections, scheduled for September.

Turning to domestic developments, Economic Sentiment in Germany saw a marginal improvement to 47.5 in June, while it rose to 51.3 for the broader euro area. Still in the region, final Inflation Rate figures indicated that the headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 2.6% YoY in May, with the core CPI rising by 2.9% over the same period.

EUR/USD daily chart

EUR/USD short-term technical outlook

If the downturn continues, EUR/USD might retest the June low of 1.0667 (June 14), ahead of the May low of 1.0649 (May 1), and finally the 2024 bottom of 1.0601 (April 16).

Looking higher, the 200-day SMA is at 1.0788, ahead of the weekly high of 1.0852 (June 12), followed by the June top of 1.0916 (June 4) and the March peak of 1.0981 (March 8). Further north, the weekly high of 1.0998 (January 11) precedes the critical 1.1000 level.

The 4-hour chart thus far indicates some signs of healing. Bulls should aim for 1.0810 before 1.0852, then 1.0916, and finally 1.0942. 1.0667 is the first number to fall, followed by 1.0649 and 1.0601. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) dropped to around 48.

• GBP/USD trades below 1.2700 after hitting a two-day high of 1.2720.
• Resistance at a broken support trendline could lead to further price drops.
• Key support levels: 1.2656 (June 14 low) and 1.2643/34 (100-DMA confluence and May 3 high).

The Pound Sterling creeps lower against the US Dollar on Tuesday, amid a scarce economic docket in the UK following the release of mixed data in the United States. At the time of writing, the GBP/USD trades at 1.2688, down 0.12%.

GBP/USD Price Analysis: Technical outlook

Following a dip to a multi-week low of 1.2656, the GBP/USD has shown signs of resilience, managing to regain some ground. However, it’s important to note that it still hovers below a one-month broken support trendline turned resistance, which could potentially lead to further price drops.

Momentum shows that sellers remained unchanged, as revealed by the Relative Strength Index (RSI).

If GBP/USD drops below 1.2700, the exchange rate will continue to fall and face the first support, at 1.2656, the June 14 low. Once cleared, the next stop would be the 100-day moving average (DMA) confluence and the May 3 high at 1.2643/34, ahead of 1.2600.

Conversely, if GBP/USD climbs past 1.2720/30, that could exacerbate a rally toward 1.2800.

GBP/USD Price Action – Daily Chart

• The US dollar rallied a bit during the early hours on Monday and continued to show signs of resiliency during the trading session.
• Ultimately, this is a market that I think will continue to see plenty of upward momentum against the Japanese yen, as the interest rate differential continues to favor the higher pricing of this pair.
• This is a market that I think any time we pull back, you have to be looking at the overall trend, and the fact that the Bank of Japan flinched when it came to the meeting on Friday of last week.

Technical Analysis

The technical analysis of course has been very bullish, and he continues to be so going forward. The 50-Day EMA is sitting just above the ¥155 level, an area that of course has been very important multiple times. I think at this point in time, the market is likely to continue to see this area as a potential value spot, so I do think that if we pull back at all, we will more likely than not see plenty of buyers willing to step in and defend this level.

The next support level course is going to be the ¥152 level, and then followed by the ¥150 level where the 200-Day EMA currently resides. In general, this is a market that continues to find plenty of buyers regardless, especially as the interest rate differential continues to favor the US dollar. With that in mind, I think it’s probably only a matter of time before we see the market take off to the upside, with an eye on the ¥160 level, an area that we see the Bank of Japan recently intervened at. I think that is an area that the market will have to contend with, but eventually I do expect that we not only reach the ¥160 level, but eventually break above there. If and when we do, then it becomes more or less a “buy-and-hold” type of situation.

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EUR/USD Current price: 1.0731

• The German ZEW Survey showed a modest improvement in Economic Sentiment.
• United States Retail Sales disappointed rising by just 0.1% in May.
• EUR/USD at risk of falling further, the year low at 1.0600 in sight.

The EUR/USD pair peaked at 1.0742 on Tuesday, as the US Dollar came under mild selling pressure due to a better market mood at the end of Monday. Wall Street posted nice gains on the first trading day of the week, helping its Asian and European counterparts remain afloat throughout the first half of Tuesday. Nevertheless, the USD managed to post modest gains across the FX board.

In the case of the Euro, the shared currency was partially affected by comments from European Central Bank (ECB) Vice President Luis de Guindos, who said the best time to make a rate decision is alongside updated projections, cooling hopes for a July trim.

Data-wise, the Eurozone confirmed that the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) rose 2.9% YoY in May, as previously estimated, while the monthly reading also matched the flash estimate. Also, the German ZEW survey showed that Economic Sentiment posted a modest improvement in June, up to 47.5 from 47.1, missing expectations. The assessment of the current situation was much worse than anticipated, down to -73.8 from -72.3 in May. Finally, the Economic Sentiment in the EU improved to 51.3, beating the expected 47.8.

The US Dollar shed some ground after the release of United States (US) data, as Retail Sales in the country rose a modest 0.1% in May, below the 0.2% expected. The April figure was downwardly revised to -0.2%, further weighing on the Greenback. Up next, the country will release Capacity Utilization and Industrial Production readings for May. The American afternoon will be filled with speeches from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials.

EUR/USD short-term technical outlook

Technically, the daily chart for the EUR/USD pair shows the risk remains skewed to the downside. The pair keeps changing hands below all its moving averages, with the 20 Simple Moving Average (SMA) gaining downward traction, although still above the longer ones. Technical indicators, in the meantime, remain below their midlines, although with divergent slopes, falling short of suggesting an upcoming directional movement.

In the near term, and according to the 4-hour chart, EUR/USD has scope to extend its slide. A sharply bearish 20 SMA contained advances since the day started, with the pair now struggling around it. At the same time, a bearish 100 SMA is about to cross below a flat 200 SMA, both in the 1.0810 price zone, reflecting increased selling interest. Finally, technical indicators remain lifeless within negative levels, as the latest bounce partially offset the former bearish momentum.

Support levels: 1.0710 1.0665 1.0620

Resistance levels: 1.0750 1.0800 1.0840  

EUR/USD Current price: 1.0731

• The German ZEW Survey showed a modest improvement in Economic Sentiment.
• United States Retail Sales disappointed rising by just 0.1% in May.
• EUR/USD at risk of falling further, the year low at 1.0600 in sight.

The EUR/USD pair peaked at 1.0742 on Tuesday, as the US Dollar came under mild selling pressure due to a better market mood at the end of Monday. Wall Street posted nice gains on the first trading day of the week, helping its Asian and European counterparts remain afloat throughout the first half of Tuesday. Nevertheless, the USD managed to post modest gains across the FX board.

In the case of the Euro, the shared currency was partially affected by comments from European Central Bank (ECB) Vice President Luis de Guindos, who said the best time to make a rate decision is alongside updated projections, cooling hopes for a July trim.

Data-wise, the Eurozone confirmed that the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) rose 2.9% YoY in May, as previously estimated, while the monthly reading also matched the flash estimate. Also, the German ZEW survey showed that Economic Sentiment posted a modest improvement in June, up to 47.5 from 47.1, missing expectations. The assessment of the current situation was much worse than anticipated, down to -73.8 from -72.3 in May. Finally, the Economic Sentiment in the EU improved to 51.3, beating the expected 47.8.

The US Dollar shed some ground after the release of United States (US) data, as Retail Sales in the country rose a modest 0.1% in May, below the 0.2% expected. The April figure was downwardly revised to -0.2%, further weighing on the Greenback. Up next, the country will release Capacity Utilization and Industrial Production readings for May. The American afternoon will be filled with speeches from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials.

EUR/USD short-term technical outlook

Technically, the daily chart for the EUR/USD pair shows the risk remains skewed to the downside. The pair keeps changing hands below all its moving averages, with the 20 Simple Moving Average (SMA) gaining downward traction, although still above the longer ones. Technical indicators, in the meantime, remain below their midlines, although with divergent slopes, falling short of suggesting an upcoming directional movement.

In the near term, and according to the 4-hour chart, EUR/USD has scope to extend its slide. A sharply bearish 20 SMA contained advances since the day started, with the pair now struggling around it. At the same time, a bearish 100 SMA is about to cross below a flat 200 SMA, both in the 1.0810 price zone, reflecting increased selling interest. Finally, technical indicators remain lifeless within negative levels, as the latest bounce partially offset the former bearish momentum.

Support levels: 1.0710 1.0665 1.0620

Resistance levels: 1.0750 1.0800 1.0840  

• GBP/USD stays below 1.2700 after posting small gains on Monday.
• The technical outlook suggests that the bearish bias remains intact.
• The pair is likely to stay on the back foot unless risk mood improves.

GBP/USD benefited from the selling pressure surrounding the US Dollar (USD) in the second half of the day on Monday and registered modest gains. The pair, however, finds it difficult to hold above 1.2700 and the technical outlook suggests that the bearish bias remains unchanged in the near term.

The positive shift seen in risk mood caused the USD to weaken against its major rivals in the American session on Monday. The Nasdaq Composite gained more than 1% and the S&P 500 rose nearly 0.8%.

The US Census Bureau will release Retail Sales data for May on Tuesday. Investors look for an increase of 0.2%. Unless there is a significant divergence from the market expectation, the reaction to this data could remain short-lived.

Meanwhile, market participants are likely to continue to pay close attention to comments from Federal Reserve officials and to changes in risk mood.

If policymakers leave the door open to a rate reduction in September, the USD could struggle to find demand and help GBP/USD hold its ground. In this scenario, risk flows are likely to continue to drive the action in markets and put additional weight on the USD’s shoulders. On the other hand, investors could adopt a cautious stance in case officials voice their willingness to wait until the end of the year before considering a rate cut.

In the early European session on Wednesday, the UK’s Office for National Statistics will release the inflation data for May.

GBP/USD Technical Analysis

GBP/USD stays below the lower limit of the ascending regression channel and the Relative Strength Index on the 4-hour chart remains well below 50, reflecting the bearish bias. On the downside, 1.2640 (Fibonacci 38.2% retracement of the latest uptrend) aligns as key support ahead of 1.2600 (psychological level, static level) and 1.2580 (Fibonacci 50% retracement). 

Resistances could be seen at 1.2700, 1.2720 (Fibonacci 23.6% retracement) and 1.2750, where the 50-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) is located.

• GBP/USD stays below 1.2700 after posting small gains on Monday.
• The technical outlook suggests that the bearish bias remains intact.
• The pair is likely to stay on the back foot unless risk mood improves.

GBP/USD benefited from the selling pressure surrounding the US Dollar (USD) in the second half of the day on Monday and registered modest gains. The pair, however, finds it difficult to hold above 1.2700 and the technical outlook suggests that the bearish bias remains unchanged in the near term.

The positive shift seen in risk mood caused the USD to weaken against its major rivals in the American session on Monday. The Nasdaq Composite gained more than 1% and the S&P 500 rose nearly 0.8%.

The US Census Bureau will release Retail Sales data for May on Tuesday. Investors look for an increase of 0.2%. Unless there is a significant divergence from the market expectation, the reaction to this data could remain short-lived.

Meanwhile, market participants are likely to continue to pay close attention to comments from Federal Reserve officials and to changes in risk mood.

If policymakers leave the door open to a rate reduction in September, the USD could struggle to find demand and help GBP/USD hold its ground. In this scenario, risk flows are likely to continue to drive the action in markets and put additional weight on the USD’s shoulders. On the other hand, investors could adopt a cautious stance in case officials voice their willingness to wait until the end of the year before considering a rate cut.

In the early European session on Wednesday, the UK’s Office for National Statistics will release the inflation data for May.

GBP/USD Technical Analysis

GBP/USD stays below the lower limit of the ascending regression channel and the Relative Strength Index on the 4-hour chart remains well below 50, reflecting the bearish bias. On the downside, 1.2640 (Fibonacci 38.2% retracement of the latest uptrend) aligns as key support ahead of 1.2600 (psychological level, static level) and 1.2580 (Fibonacci 50% retracement). 

Resistances could be seen at 1.2700, 1.2720 (Fibonacci 23.6% retracement) and 1.2750, where the 50-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) is located.

GBP/JPY Forecast Video for 16.05.23

British Pound vs Japanese Yen Technical Analysis

The British pound has rallied rather significantly during the trading session on Monday, as we have broken above the ¥170 level again. At this point, it looks like the market is really starting to pick up momentum, and the question now is whether or not we can break the recent highs. If we can, then it’s likely that the market could continue to go looking toward the ¥125 level. Underneath, the ¥168 level should offer support, and therefore this market is more or less going to be a “buy on the dips” scenario.

The Japanese yen has suffered at the hands of the Bank of Japan, as it continues to do yield curve control. Yield curve control means that the Bank of Japan is doing everything it can to keep interest rates on the 10-year JGB down to 50 basis points. In order to do this, they have to print more Japanese yen, and this of course floods the market with supply. In that scenario, it’s difficult for the Japanese yen to retain its value, and therefore we have seen the Japanese yen get hammered for the last year against almost every other currency.

By contrast, the British pound has been strengthening due to the Bank of England and its tight monetary policy, as the United Kingdom continues the face inflation. In this environment, it does make quite a bit of sense that the GBP/JPY pair continues to rally from here.

Underneath, the 50-Day EMA sits just below the ¥166 level, and is rising. The ¥166 level is an area that will attract a lot of attention, and then of course the ¥165 level underneath would be very important as it is a large, round, psychologically significant figure, and an area where we have seen structural support previously. If we were to break down below there, then the market more likely than not falls apart. Otherwise, it continues to be a situation where plenty of buyers will continue to come back into the picture and try to pick up “cheap British pounds” and take advantage of the overall weakness of the Japanese yen in general and therefore that’s probably the focus more than anything else.

For a look at all of today’s economic events, check out our economic calendar.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:

• Monday was very kind to the euro, as we rallied somewhat significantly during the early hours of the trading session.
• The question now is whether or not we can fill the gap from last week after the surprise announcement of snap elections in France.
• I think the entirety of the trend and market overall behavior is going to hang on the idea of the 0.85 level being so crucially important.

If we can see this market rally above there and continue to go higher, I think at that point in time it would be extraordinarily bullish for the euro against the pound at least.

Noisy Pair Because of Ambivalence

I think both of these currencies are going to play a bit of a backseat role to the US dollar going forward, especially as the Federal Reserve continues to remain stubbornly tight with its monetary policy. However, EUR/GBP is a pair that does tend to trend for long periods of time, and we did just touch a very low level in this pair. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out. I do believe that longer term traders are looking at this through the prism of the Euro being cheap against the British pound and that might be reason enough for buyers to step in.

The 0.84 level offering support is not a huge surprise. It’s an area that’s been important previously so that leads traders to believe that it will be again and so far, that has held true. If we were to break down below the 0.84 level, it’s very possible we could drop another 100 points but right now it certainly looks as if there’s a lot of fight in the euro at these extraordinarily low levels.

At this point in time, it certainly looks like a bounce would be likely, but whether or not it’s something that we can hang onto remains to be seen. The pair does tend to be noisy under the best of circumstances, but for longer-term traders, it does offer nice “buy-and-hold” or “sell and hold” opportunities. I think we might be trying to do everything we can to set up another one.

US Economic Calendar: Retail Sales and Fed Speakers

Later in the session, retail sales figures will likely influence buyer appetite for the USD/JPY.

Economists forecast retail sales to increase by 0.3% in May after stalling in April. Additionally, economists predict retail sales ex-autos to advance by 0.2% after an increase of 0.2% in April.

Higher-than-expected numbers could temper investor bets on a September Fed rate cut. Upward trends in consumer spending could fuel demand-driven inflationary pressures. A more hawkish Fed rate path may raise borrowing costs and reduce disposable income. Downward trends in disposable income could affect consumer spending and dampen demand-driven inflation.

Other stats include industrial production figures for May. However, the industrial production numbers will likely play second fiddle to the retail sales data.

Beyond the stats, investors should track FOMC Member speeches. Comments regarding inflation, the economic outlook, and the timing of a Fed rate cut could move the dial.

FOMC Members Thomas Barkin, Susan Collins, Adriana Kugler, Alberto Musalem, and Austan Goolsbee are on the calendar to deliver speeches.

Short-term Forecast

Near-term trends for the USD/JPY will depend on US retail sales figures, Bank of Japan chatter, and Fed speakers. An unexpected fall in US retail sales could shift monetary policy divergence toward the Japanese Yen before inflation and private sector PMI numbers on Friday.

USD/JPY Price Action

Daily Chart

The USD/JPY remained well above the 50-day and 200-day EMAs, confirming the bullish price trends.

A USD/JPY return to the 158 handle would support a move toward the 159 handle. Moreover, a USD/JPY breakout from 159 could give the bulls a run at the April 29 high of 160.209.

Investors should consider Bank of Japan commentary, US retail sales, and FOMC Member chatter.

Conversely, a USD/JPY fall below the 157 handle could signal a drop to the 50-day EMA. A break below the 50-day EMA could bring the 151.685 support level into view.

The 14-day RSI at 59.46 indicates a USD/JPY rise to the April 29 high of 160.209 before entering overbought territory.

• The US dollar has rallied quite nicely during the early hours on Friday against the Japanese Yen, breaking above the 158 Yen level.
• That being said, there was a Bank of Japan meeting that of course rattled the markets and therefore we have seen a lot of volatility since then.
• Nonetheless, this is a market that is bullish, and I do think continues to go higher.

When you look at the chart, it doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see an ascending triangle, and typically those will resolve to the upside. Furthermore, you have to keep in mind that the interest rate differential continues to favor the United States, and that of course is a major driver of where this pair may go in the future. If we can break above the 158 yen level, that would obviously be a victory, but I think the real fight is beyond there, and it’s closer to the 160 yen, that seems to be the area that the Bank of Japan found intolerable and jumped into the market to intervene several weeks ago. On the downside, if we see the US dollar fall from here, I think the most obvious support level is close to the 155 yen level, not only due to the fact that it has shown itself to be resilient previously, but we also have the 50-day EMA hanging around that same general area.

Buying on the Dips

With this, I think that would be a potentially excellent opportunity, assuming that we even get it. I have no interest in shorting this market, you have to pay swap to do so, and of course would be swimming upstream as it were as the trend is so obviously bullish. I’m a buyer of dips, I’m a holder of this pair, and will continue to be both. With that being the case, I do believe that this is still a very much “long term trade” just waiting to happen.

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