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Japanese Yen Gains on Strong GDP Data, Puts Pressure on USD/JPY Near One-Week Low

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  • February 17, 2025
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The Japanese Yen (JPY) continues to hold strong gains after a strong Q4 GDP report supported expectations of more interest rate increases by the Bank of Japan (BoJ). Narrowing US-Japan rate difference, combined with persistent weakness of the US Dollar (USD) amid disappointing US retail sales and market skepticism around Trump’s offered reciprocal tariffs, holds the USD/JPY pair close to a one-week low. Owing to hawkishness offered by the Federal Reserve, offering some support for the USD notwithstanding, the functional bias remains skewed towards JPY bulls, making a further lower direction for the currency pair quite likely. Support levels are key around 151.40 and 150.00, with any bounce being met with resistance at 152.70 and higher.  KEY LOOKOUTS • Solid Q4 GDP growth of 2.8% supports the view that the Bank of Japan will keep tightening monetary policy. • A soft US Retail Sales report and worries over Trump’s retaliatory tariffs keep the USD at a two-month low, bearing down on the USD/JPY pair. • The diminishing gap between US and Japanese interest rates strengthens the Yen, increasing investor confidence in Japan’s currency amid BoJ’s hawkish stance. • USD/JPY faces immediate support near 151.40, with further downside potential toward 150.00, while resistance lies at 152.70 and 154.00. The Japanese Yen continues to strengthen as robust Q4 GDP data reinforces expectations of further interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan (BoJ). The decline in the US-Japan rate differential and continued US Dollar softness, fueled by soft US Retail Sales data and reservations regarding Trump’s proposed tit-for-tat tariffs, maintain the USD/JPY cross close to a one-week low. Although the Federal Reserve’s hard-dollar bias lends some support to the USD, overall sentiment remains in favor of JPY bulls. Critical support for the duo comes around the 151.40 and 150.00 points, whereas any bounce could see stiff resistance near 152.70 and 154.00. The Japanese Yen is still strong following positive Q4 GDP numbers, further solidifying BoJ rate hike expectations and putting pressure on USD/JPY around a one-week low. Poor US Retail Sales and Trump’s reciprocal tariffs worries also bear down further on the USD, as key support and resistance levels at 151.40 and 152.70, respectively. • Japan’s Q4 GDP increased by 2.8%, further solidifying hopes for additional Bank of Japan (BoJ) rate hikes. • The Japanese Yen holds its ground, driving the USD/JPY pair down as the US Dollar weakens. • A steep 0.9% decline in US retail sales puts further pressure on the USD, dampening investor sentiment. • Uncertainty in the markets regarding Trump’s tariffs plans on US imports is adding to USD weakness and JPY strength. • A narrowing gap between US and Japanese interest rates is further adding to the bullish momentum of the Yen. • USD/JPY is supported close to 151.40 and 150.00, but resistance is found at 152.70 and 154.00. • The USD gets some support from the Fed’s determination to hold rates higher, capping USD/JPY losses deeper than this. The Japanese Yen keeps gaining strength with Japan’s 2.8% Q4 GDP growth increasing hopes of higher rate hikes from the Bank of Japan (BoJ). The constricting US-Japan rate gap, coupled with soft US economic indicators, has held the USD/JPY pair close to a one-week low. The US Dollar is still under the gun after the sudden 0.9% fall in US retail sales to signal weakening consumer expenditures. Moreover, uncertainty surrounding former President Donald Trump’s so-called reciprocal tariffs has contributed to market uncertainty, which has dampened the USD further. Investors currently expect a stronger Yen in the short term, with major support levels at 151.40 and 150.00. USD/JPY Daily Price Chart TradingView Prepared by ELLYANA Even though the USD is weak, the Federal Reserve’s aggressive stance on interest rates serves as a counterbalance, stopping further losses in the USD/JPY pair. The Fed’s hesitation to reduce rates in the near future gives some relief to the USD, but its upside is still limited by prevailing sentiment. The USD/JPY technical levels are being watched closely by traders, with resistance at 152.70 and 154.00, which would see a short-covering rally if broken. Still, with the BoJ tightening measures and a closing rate gap, the bullish momentum in the Yen is set to continue, placing pressure on the currency pair during the next few sessions. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS USD/JPY currency pair is trading close to significant support levels at 151.40, with further downside risk towards the psychological 150.00 level. Daily chart oscillators are still in bearish territory, and the decreasing US-Japan rate gap continues to support the Yen. A slide below 150.90 could further enhance selling pressure, driving the pair towards the 149.60-149.55 range and possibly testing the 149.00 support. On the higher side, any bounce might find stiff resistance at 152.70, which coincides with the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA). A breakout above 153.15 (100-day SMA) may result in a short-covering rally, pushing the pair to 154.00 and the 154.75-154.80 supply area. But since fundamentals favor the Yen, the overall trend will remain bearish unless USD bulls take charge again. FORECAST USD/JPY pair can recover if some conditions are met. A breach above the 152.00 level may propel the pair towards the robust resistance level of 152.70, where the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) is located. A firm breakout above this level might lead to a short-covering rally, driving the pair towards the 153.15 region (100-day SMA). If bullish pressure intensifies, the subsequent target is around the 154.00 psychological level, then the 154.45-154.50 supply zone. Another push higher might have the pair retracing last week’s high in the vicinity of the 154.75-154.80 area, if the US Dollar regains power on the back of aggressive Federal Reserve policy or improved risk appetite for global markets. USD/JPY remains below 152.00, with near-term support around 151.40-151.45. A break below here might trigger selling pressure faster, taking the pair down to 150.90, which is the lowest level since December 10. Further falls might test the psychological 150.00, with longer losses making the descent towards the support

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Currencies USD/JPY

Japanese Yen on Edge: BoJ Policy Speculation Balances Risk-On Sentiment and Limited Downside

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  • January 22, 2025
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USD/JPY is on its edge as divergence in policy speculations between Bank of Japan (BoJ) and Federal Reserve (Fed) outweighs the modest losing downside. Still, the interest rate hike for the BoJ in its meeting next week leaves a stark divergence from the probability of Fed lowering interest rates into the latter end of this year, which somewhat caps the serious losses for JPY. The USD/JPY pair continues to show resilience, holding below the key psychological mark of 155.00, amid a broader risk-on sentiment reflected in positive equity markets. Traders are treading cautiously, awaiting clarity from the BoJ’s policy decision, which will likely shape the near-term trajectory of the JPY. Meanwhile, technical indicators suggest limited bearish momentum, with spot prices poised to test immediate resistance near 156.00 or potentially climb toward multi-month highs if buying pressure sustains. KEY LOOKOUTS • Anticipated BoJ rate hikes and Fed rate cuts fuel contrasting market expectations, influencing the USD/JPY pair’s movement and limiting the Japanese Yen’s downside. • USD/JPY traded in a stable manner below 155.00, and with oscillators demonstrating weak bearish traction, there is a rather cautious mood for traders as the market waits for some clear technical breaks. • Upbeat equity markets have also negatively impacted the Japanese Yen’s safe-haven status, thereby allowing tailwinds for the pair’s recovery to key resistance. • Traders are awaiting the much-awaited BoJ policy meet, with the outcome to heavily influence near-term Japanese Yen dynamics. The Japanese Yen remains subdued as traders navigate the contrasting policy outlooks of the Bank of Japan (BoJ) and the Federal Reserve (Fed). With the BoJ expected to hike interest rates in its upcoming meeting and the Fed anticipated to cut rates later this year, the policy divergence adds uncertainty to the USD/JPY pair’s trajectory. Positive sentiment in equity markets further undermines the Yen’s safe-haven appeal, supporting a modest recovery in the pair. However, traders remain cautious, awaiting the BoJ’s decision, which will significantly impact near-term movement. On the technical front, the USD/JPY shows resilience below the 155.00 psychological mark, while oscillators signal limited bearish momentum, suggesting a measured approach to the pair’s next moves. The Japanese Yen is still under pressure as the BoJ and Fed policy expectations are contrasting, with the BoJ’s expected rate hike supporting it. Risk-on sentiment undermines the Yen, and traders await the BoJ’s decision for clearer direction. • The anticipation of a rate hike by the Bank of Japan supports the Japanese Yen and limits its downside potential. • Divergent expectations of Fed rate cuts later this year create a contrasting dynamic influencing the USD/JPY pair. • Positive equity market trends weaken the safe-haven appeal of the Japanese Yen, supporting modest gains in USD/JPY. • USD/JPY holds firm below the 155.00 mark, with oscillators showing limited bearish momentum, signaling cautious market sentiment. • Key resistance for USD/JPY lies at the 156.00 mark, with potential for further gains toward multi-month highs if buying pressure sustains. • Market participants remain on the sidelines, awaiting the BoJ’s policy decision to determine the near-term trajectory of the Yen. • The outcome of the BoJ’s two-day meeting is expected to be pivotal, potentially reshaping market sentiment and influencing JPY movements. The Japanese Yen remains under pressure as markets navigate contrasting policy expectations between the Bank of Japan (BoJ) and the Federal Reserve (Fed). As widely expected, a rate hike is in store during the BoJ’s two-day policy meeting. Still, later in the year, the Fed could cut interest rates, providing an opposing outlook for the JPY’s downside. This contrast along with broader risk-on equity market sentiment goes against the safe haven appeal of the Yen and hence modestly supports the USD/JPY. However, traders remain cautious, awaiting the BoJ’s decision, which could play a pivotal role in shaping the near-term trajectory of the Japanese Yen. USD/JPY Daily Price Chart. Source: TradingView Prepared By ELLYANA USD/JPY pair has shown resilience, holding steady below the psychological 155.00 mark despite bearish pressure. Oscillators on the daily chart indicate limited negative momentum, suggesting that a sustained break below key support levels is necessary for further depreciation. Immediate resistance lies near the 156.00 level, with potential for gains toward multi-month highs if buying pressure continues. The outcome of the BoJ’s policy decision will be critical in determining whether the pair accelerates higher or reverses course toward key support levels. As traders adopt a wait-and-watch approach, the Japanese Yen’s movement remains highly sensitive to policy signals and market sentiment shifts. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS USD/JPY is showing some strength as it is still holding below the psychological level of 155.00 and at the bottom side of a long-term ascending channel. Indicators on the day chart indicate that there is not sufficient bearish momentum for a big decline, meaning a major drop would need a good breakdown and persistent trade below the support of the trend-channel. Some support could be met around 154.50-154.45 and further declines could reach as low as 154.00 round figure and the mid-153.00s. On the upside, the 156.00 level acts as a strong resistance, followed by the 156.25-156.60 range. A breakout above these levels could pave the way for further gains toward the 157.00 mark and beyond, with the multi-month peak near 159.00 serving as a longer-term target. The overall setup suggests cautious optimism for bullish traders while urging bears to wait for clearer signals of sustained weakness. FORECAST The USD/JPY pair holds potential for further gains if buying pressure sustains above key resistance levels. The immediate hurdle lies near the 156.00 mark, followed by the 156.25-156.60 region. A breakout above these levels could trigger a rally toward the 157.00 psychological mark. If bullish momentum strengthens, the pair may test the 157.25-157.30 zone and extend gains to the 157.60 level, eventually targeting the multi-month peak near the 159.00 mark. Positive sentiment driven by risk-on market conditions and expectations of a dovish Fed could bolster this upward trajectory. Downside risks remain limited as the USD/JPY pair exhibits resilience near the 155.00 mark. A sustained break below this

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