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USD/JPY slides – did Tokyo intervene?It has been a remarkable week for the yen, which has exhibited sharp swings throughout the week. The Japanese yen fell as much as 1% earlier and on Thursday but has pared most of those losses. USD/JPY has risen 0.38% to 155.19 at the time of writing. Japan suspected of intervention In the Asian session, the yen fell as low as 157.55 but then recovered to precisely 153. The reason for the swing is unclear but there are strong suspicions that Japan’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) ordered another round of intervention. Japan’s top currency official, Masota Kanda, refused to comment on whether Japan had intervened. Kanda was also mum about whether there was intervention on Monday, when the yen spiked and fell below the 160 level before recovering. Money market movements indicate that the MoF did intervene on Monday, selling as much as $35 billion to prop up the yen. The yen’s swings Monday and today could signal that the MoF has targeted 160 as its “line in the sand” for intervention. Fed holds rates, US dollar slips There was no surprise from the Federal Reserve which maintained the benchmark rate in the target range of 5.25% to 5.50% on Wednesday. This marked a six straight pause, as Fed Chair Powell was clear that high inflation has delayed rate cuts. The rate statement said that inflation had fallen in the past year but there was a lack of progress towards the 2% inflation target in recent months. At a press conference, Powell said that the Fed was not yet confident that inflation was falling closer to the target. Consumer inflation has been moving higher and the US economy remains surprisingly strong, which has complicated the Fed’s plan to provide relief to households by lowering rates. Still, the Powell said the next rate move was unlikely to be a hike, which sent the US dollar broadly lower against the majors on Wednesday. The yen soared as much as 3.2% against on the dollar after the rate announcement and closed on Wednesday with gains of 2%. USD/JPY is testing resistance at 155.13. Above, there is resistance at 157.26 There is support at 152.27 and 150.14
by OANDA
USD/JPY slides to lowest level since 1990The Japanese yen has edged higher on Wednesday. In the European session, USD/JPY is trading at 151.17, down 0.26%. The Bank of Japan raised interest rates last week for the first time since 2007. The move marked a sea-change in monetary policy. However, the tightening has not translated into gains for the Japanese yen, which remains under pressure. Earlier today, the yen fell as low as 151.97, its lowest level since 1990. Will the yen’s slide trigger a currency intervention from Japan’s Ministry of Finance? The MOF intervened last October when the yen dropped to 151.94, which means we are clearly within “intervention territory”. The MOF’s response to the current decline, however, has been limited to verbal intervention. On Monday, as the top currency diplomat,  Masato Kanda, sent a warning to speculators that he was concerned by the yen’s slide, saying it did not reflect fundamentals. Earlier today, Japan’s finance minister, Shunichi Suzuki, warned that excessive movement by the yen would be answered with “decisive steps”. Japanese officials have limited their response to the yen’s woes with jawboning but the risk of intervention is very real and will increase if the yen continues to lose ground. Still, it should be noted that last year’s interventions didn’t really get the job done, as yen gains were short-lived. The lack of certainty as to whether Tokyo will intervene to prop up the yen could result in volatility for USD/JPY and investors will be listening carefully to every comment coming out of the BoJ or the MOF. USD/JPY remains range-bound on the weekly chart: 152.58 and 153.70 are the next resistance lines\ There is support at 150.74 and 149.62
by OANDA
Why USD/JPY bulls should be cautious at these highsUSD/JPY has continued to defy gravity despite the growing threat of verbal (or actual) yen intervention by the MOF/BOJ. Yet the higher and faster it rises, so does the threat of intervention. You can see what impact it had on USD/JPY from the large bearish candle that formed on 23 October 2022, where the initial break above 150 was then met with a swift move lower and subsequent -16.3% decline over the next 2.5 months. However, what has caught our eye today is that recent cycle highs have stalled around the 10 October high, the day a softer-than-expected US inflation report saw the US dollar plunge. There is also a volume node from the choppy price action in October at 147.1, and such HVNs can act as both a magnet to attract prices and also become support/resistance. And given USD/JPY’s recent pattern of breaking key levels and cycle highs before reversing, we’re a little sceptical of bullish breakouts – especially with the growing threat of verbal/actual intervention. Furthermore, the US02Y-JP02Y spread has stalled just beneath its March high, so perhaps USD/JPY is at least due a pullback before it tries to break higher. Either way, we’d prefer to buy dips over breakouts. And as for any potential pullback, we’d prefer to wait for a breakout to become a ‘fakeout’ (where prices move back below the initial breakout level) before shorting against the trend.
by CityIndex
USD/JPY - yen gains ground as core inflation slowsThe Japanese yen has extended its gains on Friday. In the North American session, USD/JPY is trading at 145.29, down 0.38%. The month of August has been kind to the US dollar, which has posted strong gains against all of the major currencies. USD/JPY has risen 2.34% in that period and on Thursday, the yen fell as low as 146.56, a nine-month low against the US dollar. The yen has been the worst performer among the majors over the past month, and the currency's sharp depreciation has raised speculation that Tokyo could respond by intervening in the currency markets. Japan's Ministry of Finance (MOF) shocked the markets in September 2022 when it intervened and bought billions of dollars with yen, which propped up the Japanese currency. At that time, the yen was also trading around the 146 level, and that has many investors on edge that the MOF may be planning another intervention. Japan's inflation has been hovering above 3% for a prolonged period, higher than the Bank of Japan's target of 2%. The BoJ has insisted that it will not loosen its ultra-accommodative monetary policy until it sees evidence that inflation is sustainable, such as higher wage growth. The markets are not taking the BoJ at its word, as the BoJ keeps its cards very close to the chest in order to surprise the market when it shifts policy. Clearly, transparency is not high on the BoJ's list, in contrast to the Federal Reserve and other major central banks. Since inflation data could well lead to a shift in policy, every inflation report out of Japan attracts significant attention. The July CPI report, released today, was no exception. Core CPI, which excludes fresh food, eased to 3.1% y/y, matching the consensus estimate and down from 3.3% in June. The indicator is closely watched by the BoJ and the decline supports expectations that the BoJ will maintain its current policy. This, despite the fact that Core CPI has now exceeded the BoJ's 2% inflation target for 16 consecutive months. The BoJ is not expected to make any major shifts to policy in the near-term, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the central bank will stay completely on the sidelines. At the July meeting, the BoJ surprised the markets with a tweak to its policy which provided more flexibility to the 10-year bond yield cap. Governor Ueda insisted that this was not a move towards normalization, but investors have learned the hard way that the BoJ is not hesitant to make policy moves that have blindsided the markets. . USD/JPY Technical USD/JPY is testing support at 145.71. Below, there is support at 144.07 There is resistance at 1.4640 and 147.31
by OANDA
1
EUR/JPY- Ready for a breakdown?On March 7th, EUR/JPY made a low print of 124.40. Since then, the pair has been moving higher in an ascending wedge formation. On October 21st, the pair attempted to breakout above the top trendline of the pattern, reaching an intraday high of 148.40. However, Japan’s Ministry of Finance stepped in and intervened in the fx markets by buying Yen. That was the last time EUR/JPY touched the top trendline of the pattern. As is often the case, when price fails to break out of one side of a pattern, it moves to test the opposite trendline of the pattern. The expectation for an ascending wedge is that price will break lower as it nears the apex. The target for a breakdown from an ascending wedge is a 100% retracement, or 124.40 in this case. On December 2nd, EUR/JPY pierced through the bottom trendline, reaching its lowest level since early October at 140.77. On December 5th, the pair moved back into the ascending wedge, closing at 143.38. Will the bottom trendline hold or Is EUR/JPY finally ready to breakdown? If price breaks below Friday’s low at 140.77, it could be off to the races. First support is at the 200 Day Moving Average near 139.20. Other support levels ahead of the target are at 137.38, then 133.41. However, if the pair continues higher within the wedge, the top trendline of the pattern crosses near 149.20. If price reaches this level, one must use proper risk management as Japan may intervene in the market once again.
by FOREXcom
Yen slips after BoJ holds the courseUSD/JPY has posted strong gains today. In the European session, the yen is trading at 147.42, up 0.78%. All eyes were on the Bank of Japan, which wrapped up a crucial 2-day policy meeting on Friday. The meeting came just days after Japan's Ministry of Finance (MOF) intervened in the currency markets after the yen had fallen close to the 152 line, a new 32-year low. Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki would not confirm that the MOF had intervened for the second time in two months, but issued a blunt warning, declaring that the government was "facing off with speculators via markets." This set the stage for today's BOJ meeting. In the end, it was business as usual, as the Bank maintained ultra-low interest rates and kept its dovish guidance. The BoJ remains an outlier with its loose policy, as most other major central banks are tightening in order to curb inflation. What was noteworthy was that the central bank revised upwards its inflation forecast for fiscal 2023. Headline inflation was raised to 1.6%, up from 1.4% in July, and core inflation to 2.9%, up from 2.3% in July, with the BoJ warning that risks were skewed to the upside. The Bank also lowered its growth forecast for fiscal 2022 and 2023. Inflation has pushed above the BoJ's target of 2%, but BOJ Governor Kuroda has insisted that he will not consider tightening policy until it is clear that inflation is sustainable. There was a hint from the Bank that this may not be so far off, as today's BOJ quarterly report, noted that rising inflation is expected to "lead to sustained price rises accompanied by wage gains". The yen has paid the price for the BoJ's ultra-loose policy, tumbling some 20% against the dollar this year. With the BoJ making it clear that it won't be throwing any lifelines to the yen, the currency will be under pressure from the widening US/Japan rate differential, unless the MoF continues to intervene in the currency markets. USD/JPY faces resistance at 147.50 and 148.59 There is support at 145.23 and 143.14
by OANDA
Yen slides after BoJ holds the courseUSD/JPY has posted strong gains today. In the European session, the yen is trading at 147.42, up 0.78%. All eyes were on the Bank of Japan, which wrapped up a crucial 2-day policy meeting on Friday. The meeting came just days after Japan's Ministry of Finance (MOF) intervened in the currency markets after the yen had fallen close to the 152 line, a new 32-year low. Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki would not confirm that the MOF had intervened for the second time in two months, but issued a blunt warning, declaring that the government was "facing off with speculators via markets." This set the stage for today's BOJ meeting. In the end, it was business as usual, as the Bank maintained ultra-low interest rates and kept its dovish guidance. The BoJ remains an outlier with its loose policy, as most other major central banks are tightening in order to curb inflation. What was noteworthy was that the central bank revised upwards its inflation forecast for fiscal 2023. Headline inflation was raised to 1.6%, up from 1.4% in July, and core inflation to 2.9%, up from 2.3% in July, with the BoJ warning that risks were skewed to the upside. The Bank also lowered its growth forecast for fiscal 2022 and 2023. Inflation has pushed above the BoJ's target of 2%, but BOJ Governor Kuroda has insisted that he will not consider tightening policy until it is clear that inflation is sustainable. There was a hint from the Bank that this may not be so far off, as today's BOJ quarterly report, noted that rising inflation is expected to "lead to sustained price rises accompanied by wage gains". The yen has paid the price for the BoJ's ultra-loose policy, tumbling some 20% against the dollar this year. With the BoJ making it clear that it won't be throwing any lifelines to the yen, the currency will be under pressure from the widening US/Japan rate differential, unless the MoF continues to intervene in the currency markets. USD/JPY faces resistance at 147.50 and 148.59 There is support at 145.23 and 143.14
by OANDA
Another whipsaw day for the yenThe Japanese yen is sharply lower today, as USD/JPY has climbed 1.2% and is trading at 149.41 in Europe. The yen continues to exhibit strong swings for a second straight session. The yen started the week with sharp gains and jumped to 145.28, but the dollar has recovered and pushed the yen back above 149. This is a repeat of the whipshaw we saw on Friday, when the yen traded in a range of almost 600 points. The wild price action is most likely a result of intervention by Japan's Ministry of Finance (MOF), although Japanese authorities are staying mum. Prime Minister Kishida said today that the government would not tolerate excessive currency moves based on speculators, but this rhetoric is nothing new.  The yen hit a new 32-year high of 151.95 on Friday, and the MoF may have decided to take off the gloves and has intervened for a second straight day. Will the stealth intervention succeed in propping up the yen? The move did the job on Friday, with USD/JPY falling 1.7%, but the dollar has recovered most of those losses on Monday. The harsh reality is that the widening rate differential between Japan and the US will make unilateral intervention unlikely to succeed. The Fed continues to ramp up interest rates while the Bank of Japan zealously has capped rates on JGBs. This included an emergency bond-buying package last week to keep yields on 10-year bonds below 0.25%. The yen has plunged a staggering 22% against the dollar in 2022, and speculators are betting that the yen's slide will continue. The BoJ meets for a two-day meeting on Thursday and Friday. If the Bank maintains its dovish policy stance and refuses to provide the yen with a lifeline, the currency is likely to fall even further. USD/JPY faces resistance at 147.50 and 148.59 There is support at 145.23 and 143.14
by OANDA
USDJPY: Japan intervention is not enough to change major trend.Hey traders, as the monetary policy in the US remains aggressive we still see a possibility of continuation to the upsides on USDJPY unless fed becomes Dovish but it's still not going to happen as inflation in the US is still an issue and the main focus for the US is to control inflation, so what we can expect? more rate hikes, more USD bulls and potentially a continuation of USDJPY uptrend. hence in the coming week we will be monitoring USDJPY for a long term buying opportunity around 146 zone, remember to avoid using tight Stop losses in this type of environments since USDJPY movements will be more volatile and violent and respecting a proper risk management is always recommended so you avoid blowing your accounts, sticking to 1% risk with proper reward ratio will not allow allow the market to you knock you off. if you have any question don't hesitate to ask in the comment section.
Long
by JoeChampion
40
USD/JPY closes above 145 - NFP now in focusUSD/JPY finally closed above 145 for the first time in 24 years. Given we saw the MOF (Ministry of Finance) intervene around 145.9 then the potential for the BOJ or MOF to jawbone (if not intervene) may be high. However, traders remain aware that it will take a coordinated intervention to turn this trend around, which is why prices simply drifted back to the highs when the MOF intervened in September. And until we see any sort of intervention, price action remains king. Take note that the MOF last intervened around 145.90, so maret may become twitchy the closer we get to that level. An inverted head and shoulders pattern has formed on the USD/JPY 1-hour chart, which projects a target around 146.2. With the dollar looking strong ahead of today's NFP report, perhaps we'll see another leg higher ahead of the key Nonfarm report. The trend remains bullish and we would consider bullish setups above the broken neckline, with the initial target being the highs around 145.35 and the daily R1 pivot.
Long
by CityIndex
Japanese yen dips, retail sales nextThe yen has reversed directions today and is in negative territory. In the North American session, USD/JPY is trading at 144.59, up 0.33%. Japan releases a data dump later today, highlighted by retail sales for August. The headline reading is expected to rise to 2.8%, following a 2.4% gain in July. It was exactly a week ago that the yen went on a spectacular roller-coaster ride, as USD/JPY traded in a 450-point range. The yen has performed poorly this year, losing about 20% of its value against the dollar. As the yen continued to slide, the Bank of Japan and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) would warn that it was concerned, but the verbal rhetoric was not backed up with action until the MoF's dramatic currency intervention last week. The MoF stepped in after USD/JPY broke 145, and the yen climbed as much as 2.5% after the intervention. Immediately, there were questions as to whether a unilateral action could stem the yen's descent. Is 145 truly a line in the sand, or will Tokyo allow the yen to continue to fall? The intervention gave the yen a brief shot in the arm, but it has been unable to consolidate these gains, for two reasons. First, the Federal Reserve is expected to remain hawkish at least into 2023, which has pushed US Treasury yields higher and widened the US/Japan rate differential. Second, the yen is caught in a tug-of-war between the MoF, which wants to see a stronger yen, and the BoJ, which is focused on maintaining an ultra-accommodative policy, which has kept JGB yields at low levels, even though this has hurt the yen. Governor Kuroda has said more than once that a weak yen is not necessarily bad, and has made clear that he will not change policy until it is clear that inflation is not transient (taking a page out of Jerome Powell's playbook). These conflicting signals have invited speculation in short positions in the yen and I would not be surprised to see dollar/yen make another attempt at breaking the 145 line shortly. 144.81 is under pressure in resistance. 146.06 is next There is support at 143.21 and 141.88
by OANDA
Where next for Molecular Future?Molecular Future is one of the digital assets owned by the giant blockchain group Hyper Tech , the group behind the HyperVerse project, an exceptional blockchain membership program. Go to my theforexportal website for more information about HyperVerse. Since MOF was forked (diluted) last December the price has steadily declined before moving north back in April. Since that move which saw the price reach .00162, MOF has sold off again and is now trading below the recent April low. Currently the price range is narrowing and its unclear where we are headed next. BITCOIN is the engine that drives the train and as long as BTC declines then so most digital assets will follow. A move south below .00061 could signal a slow demise for MOF but a break above .00100 could see MOF start to build some momeentum for a longer move north. Remain on the side lines for the time being.
M
by forextraplaces
MOF continues to break out and move sideways - which way next?Molecular Future is one of the assets owned by the giant Hyper Tech group the company behind HyperVerse (see my profile for details). MOF has broken out several times over the past few weeks and then moved sideways. Currently price is moving in a range between .001255 and .001011 and is contained below resistance at .001255 and a rising trendline from late February. I expect the price to continue to move sideways for a while until it meets the 50 EMA. The 50EMA may hold the key for where we go next with MOF. Should the price breal north of the 50 EMA and take out .001255 then expect a run back towards .00149. Should the 50 EMA drive the price south then we would need to see if the rising trendline offers support. If this line breaks we are almost certainly headed much lower. This is a highly speculative opinion but the charts have a more BULLISH than BEARISH feel but as ever its BITCOIN that drives the train and if BTC declines further then most digital assets will follow.
M
by forextraplaces
MOF still consolidating - now squeezedMOF - Molecular Futre continues to consolidate between a line of resistance and the 50 day EMA. As this flag/pennant lengthens so we move closer to break out. Usually breakouts following periods of consolidation can be quite violent and price can quickly surge higher like a dam collapsing and releasing its water. All the signs are on for a break out north as we have already seen MOF break out north earlier in the month. I expect the price surge higher and break the resistance at .00149 and target the next line of resistance AT .001907 but when that will happen is anyone's guess. I think that by Monday (28th March) we should have seen price break out one way or another.
MLong
by forextraplaces
Technicals suggest a move higher for Molecular Future Molecular Future is one of the assets owned by the giant Hyper Tech Group the Group behind HyperVerse. Since its was forked (the circulating supply diluted from 87m to 87b) the price has fallen but over the last few weeks this asset would appear to have made a floor and is now building momentum higher. Flag or pennant formations are common in trading and are a result of a consolidating asset. Price is squeezed as its trading range decreases and a flag or pennant appears on the charts. In most cases these flags break north and as we have seen MOF break north once already, its my guess that we shall see a move north again possibly in the next week or so and we could see if price can break the resistance at .00147. If this resistance is broken then the momentum could carry this asset much higher. At .00139 cents a coin, this is an exceptionally cheap asset that spiked to .007 on relaunch before falling back and then reached .005 before its long descent so there's plenty of scope for it to return to this .005 level which would be its potential target over the next few months. Before MOF was forked this asset climbed from 2 cents to $2.36 so there is clear potential. However, it must be remembered that not all digital assets succeed and picking one that will is a gamble but if history is anything to go by then its worth taking a gamble on Molecular Future and stashing a few away in the hope that this asset takes off.
MLong
by forextraplaces
MOF breaking higher as anticipatedThe MOF did indeed break out north as was suggested by the technicals. Having hit resistance from several weeks ago, price has stalled and appears to be now waiting for the 200 EMA to catch up. I expect price to drift sideways for several days now and when the 200 EMA is met then we could see price use the 200 as a springboard to break the resistance and move higher. The picture remains BULLISH and MOF still represents very good value at these levels.
MLong
by forextraplaces
MOF (Molecular Future) posied to break out one way or anotherMolecular Future has (apparently) arrested its steady decline for the last 8 weeks and is tracking sideways. Price is now trapped between a rising trend line and the 200 EMA in a clear flag or pennant formation. Which way it breaks is anyones guess but it looks as if we shall see price break out either up or down over the next few days. I remain mildly BULLISH on MOF based on its performance before the asset was forked (diluted). As a trading opportunity the picture is mixed but asa a hodling opportunity I think that at .00085 cents this is a very cheap asset and certainly one thats worth buying a few hundred dollars worth and forgetting about.
MLong
by forextraplaces
MOF looking BULLISHMolecular Future is one of the 4 digital assets owned by the giant HyperTech Group. HyperVerse is THE outstanding blockchain membership opportunity and MOF is one of the currencies used to pay members. Last December MOF was forked and the circulating supply was increased from 87 million to 87 billion. Before then MOF moved from 3 cents to $2.36 so the potential for appreciation is clearly there. MOF has fallen sharply since the fork. However, from a technical standpoint we could be poised on a move higher as although we are currently held beneath the 200 EMA, the 50 EMA appears to be closing on it and a move above the 200 EMA would form a golden cross and this would be very bullish for the asset. Should this happen expect to see MOF move higher. This is a cryptocurrency assets that has real potential and it is currently very very cheap. Well worth buying a few hundred dollars worth and hodling. Who knows what the price will be in 12 months? Traders should go LONG on this asset with a STOP below the all time low.
MLong
by forextraplaces
Molecular Coin (MOF) 80% or 120% Easy & Fast!Molecular Coin (MOFBTC) printed the Cup & Handle bullish chart pattern and has already gone up. Today we see prices growing after closing above EMA100, with plenty of room left for additional gains. Our first target is set at 0.618 Fib. extension or EMA200 at 0.00001300 satoshis, for a nice 80% in potential profits. The next target is set at 120% of profits right above this one at 0.00001577. This is not financial advice. Enjoy the trade. Namaste.
MLong
by AlanSantana
1
USDJPY RTRS FORECAST: BOJ/ MOF - COMMENTS ABE, KURODA, ASAKAWAInterestingly the RTRS poll for Aug has a bullish near-term bias for $yen vs in July - my opinion is contrary to their poll as the BOJ and JPY MOF failed to deliver the hype expected/ promised this past week - i think 101/2 is much more likely for the next 3 months vs their 103.8. Comments from PM Abe, MOF and BOJ minutes that we observed in the Asia session were much of the same but once again markets digest the information as "actionless" as we have heard one too many times about the JPY govt/ BOJ's willingness to intervene in FX markets "if need be" yet their policy fails to back up such claims. Further in all honesty the BOJ has only ever intervened in the $yen price in recent times (post 2008) when it has been less than 90, and closer to 80 - so in reality imo we have until atleast 94 before we have to worry about any potential intervention spikes. My view on $Yen remains bearish, with broad USD strength today helping $yen rise into the 101.5 pivot level which it has failed to break so far - i expect $yen to test this level several more times today - failure to break and i will short OR i am happy to short at the 102 level which is likely to be very restrictive anyway. Targets to the downside are 100.5 and 100, then 99. Through 99 we look towards the 94 level. a Push here will require the risk-off tone of 2016 to continue to dominate this half of the year too, whihc seems somewhat likely as gold continues to rally close to yearly highs yesterday and US presidential elections, FOMC hike projections and brexit uncertainty still linger. A close below 98.5 and the clear selling target is 94 - this is my terminal forecast for $yne before any bull trend can emerge - with failiure from BOJ to diverge their policy more in the highly pressured july meeting, im struggling to see what drivers there are to move $yen higher and through the 104 key level going forward - imo a 20-30bps depo rate and LSP cut, combined with a 10-20trn JGB extension is what is require to see $Yen maintain the 110 level and be able to fight the risk-off pressures. Until BOJ policy is adapted in such a way, selling remains the bias. REUTERS POLL - 1. YEN TO WEAKEN TO 103.8 TO THE DOLLAR IN THREE MONTHS, 105.0 IN SIX MONTHS, AND 107.7 IN A YEAR (VS 103.0, 105.0, 108.0 IN JULY) JPY PM Abe highlights: -JAPAN PM ABE: EXTRA BUDGET TO BE SUBMITTED TO DIET IN AUTUMN -JAPAN PM ABE: ECONOMY IS TOP POLICY PRIORITY FOR NEW CABINET -ABE: TO STRENGTHEN TIES WITH NEIGHBOURS LIKE CHINA, S KOREA -ABE: NOT THINKING ABOUT SEEKING TO EXTEND TERM AS LDP PRESIDENT Economy -ABE: I TRUST KURODA'S ABILITY AS BOJ GOVERNOR -ABE: SPECIFIC MONETARY POLICY STEPS UP TO BOJ TO DECIDE -ABE: KURODA HAS SAID THERE'S NO LIMIT TO BOJ'S MONETARY POLICY JPY MOF's Asakawa Highlights -JAPAN MOF'S ASAKAWA: IF NEEDED, READY TO ACT ON JPY IN LINE WITH G-7 AGREEMENT -JAPAN MOF ASAKAWA: INTEREST RATES, CURRENCY MARKET ARE VOLATILE -JAPAN MOF ASAKAWA: CLOSELY WATCHING FOREX MARKET MOVES -JAPAN MOF ASAKAWA: CLOSELY WATCHING FX MARKET TO PREVENT SPECULATIVE MOVES FROM BECOMING ACTIVE -JAPAN MOF ASAKAWA: FOREX MARKET SHOWING ONE-SIDED AND SPECULATIVE MOVES -JAPAN MOF ASAKAWA: WILL RESPOND TO CURRENCY MOVES IF NEEDED IN LINE WITH G7, G20 AGREEMENT -JAPAN MOF ASAKAWA: Recent Rise In JPY Is 'Quite Biased, One-Sided, Speculator-Driven' -JAPAN MOF ASAKAWA: JGB Yield Volatility, JPY FX Rate Is 'Very High'
Short
by QuantumLogicTrading
GBPJPY: BOJ MISS; BOE HIT? MORE SELLING ON THE HORIZONBOJ Miss: 1. BOJ deliver one of the biggest misses in history (vs expectations/ pressure) - only increasing ETF purchases and dollar funding by apprx $60bn annual in total vs 10-20bps of Depo and LSP cuts + 5-20trn in QE increase + ETF increase. *See attached post for in-depth detail on the BOJ situation and price action history/ Yen strength/ Safe havens* BOJ Miss Compounded with a BOE Hit: 1. BOE are expected to ease by 25bps and possibly add 50bn to their QE programme on Thursday - a BOJ miss combined with a BOJ hit should cause compounded losses for GBPJPY as there are two drivers - Yen should continue this week to get stronger (as BOJ easing expectations surpass and Yen strength increases) whilst GBP gets weaker as the BOE on Thursday likely takes action, reducing the value of Sterling - with both providing the optimal environment for downside. - Historically, when BOJ has delivered new policy/ missed GBPJPY has sold off aggressively between 2-8days and 700-1200pips. Now whilst I dont expect the same level of aggression in the near-term as the relative value is much lower now (135 vs 175) so moves lower should be smaller - I do expect that 400pips lower on the day is not the end of the selling rally for GBPJPY. - Initially at the start of the week i expect GBPJPY to move lower at least another day (satisfying historical moves), perhaps into the 133.5 level which would be 550pips, lower than the smallest sell-off but fair given the relative value changes - not that i would be surprised to see more. - Later into the week is when I expect the bulk of GBPJPY losses to come (e.g. Thurs/ Fri) - the reason for this is as 1) any Yen downside risk from the MOF releasing upside in the details of their stimulus package would have surpassed e.g. increased stimulus from 28trn-40trn (unlikely) or increased govt spending section - both of which devaluing yen moving gbpjpy potentially higher. Though I think the risks are more skewed to MOF delivering a package that strengthens JPY as it undershoots expectations as several MOF members have mentioned the package being over several years - the more years the less punch the package has (given some expected it (5% of gdp) to be spent in 1yr), equally the less direct govt spending portion of the package will also lessen the depreciative impact on yen (rumoured to be 13trn, if less then Yen could get considerably stronger). As mentioned I see the MOF release to be asymmetrically skewed to expectation downside for these reasons. 2) BOE GBP selling pressure would happen when they cut the rate and adjust their QE programme - this is a highly likely scenario as BOE MPC Minutes in July said "Most members expect to loosen policy in August" and recently the BOE's biggest hawk M. Weale switched stance in light of UK Business PMI/ Optimism prints at 10yr lows saying the BOE needs to act fast/ delaying policy further doesn't make sense. Trading strategy: Sell GBPJPY @mrkt 133.5TP1 130.5TP2 128.5TP3 - risk averse traders could wait for the 50-60% MOF/ general Vol bounce into 136-38 level before shorting - I would reshort here anyway.
Short
by QuantumLogicTrading
11
USDJPY - BOJ MISS; FISCAL STIM PACKAGE & TRADING YEN FROM HEREBOJ - 3trn increase in annual ETF Purchases + $24bn increase in USD funding for banks 1. The BOJ on Friday delivered a shockingly poor package, imo they changed the snallest part of their current QQE programme. 2. What was interesting though was the markets reaction - immediately after the decision $Yen spiked higher then lower to 103 level but from then and into and through the London Open $Yen was being brought/ held up around the 103 level - it wasnt until NY came in at 1430GMT that $Yen broke lower. - But even then it was surprisingly a laboured move lower, taking almost the full NY session to find its lowes. - Some of the UJ weakness was down to a big GDP miss of 1.2% vs 2.6%exp, which sold the rates market off now implying only a 12% chance of a hike in September vs 18% the previous day and 25% earlier in the week, so i t would have been interesting to see what would of happened with out this dollar downside impetus. USDJPY from here: 1. Personally from 102.00 i see $Yen lower in the near term e.g. we could easily open 50pips lower on sunday into the key level at 101.5 as the asia session adds to shorts that they missed during their own session post-BOJ. - There is the possibility that we see some upside in $Yen as the MOF releases their fiscal package - the more actual govt spending the package includes and the shorter the timeframe, the greater the impact of the fiscal package on giving UJ some relief - but still i advise shorting rallies as i beliveve we move into the 100s from here. - That said in reality the impact of the fiscal package is likely to be limited if not completely muted as 1) the market already knows the extent and some of the details of the package and has done for the past week+ e.g. 28trn of which the market baring piece, the govt spending, is rumoured to be around 13trn - so this information is likely already baked into the price and imo was the driver of the support we saw on friday at the 103 level (asia/ ldn sellers wary of shorting in anticipation of the fiscal package). Thus any topside is only likely to come if MOF changes this dramatically to say 20trn govt spending (anything less is already pre-priced imo) OR even increases the package (but this is also unlikely as Japan has the highest govt debt:gdp ratio as it is) - but imo it is unlikely they would do either anyway. - In-fact, i actually believe the MOF stimulus package has asymmetrical risks to the downside/ disappointing markets - as several MOF officials have commented that the 28trn package is such a large package that it is likely to be over several years - thus the longer the MOF stretch the package over more disappointment the market will price and this could actually end up being a driver for more Yen appreciation given some expected the whole 28trn in one year - which isnt impossible given the size of the Japanese economy (20x bigger than the package + not all of it is in fresh govt spending). UJ View/ Trading strategy - Sell USDJPY asap @mrkt 102 - 100TP1 99TP2 - or wait for the 30/40% chance of a bounce and sell from 103/4 on Tuesday: 1. So I see UJ moving lower from here to the 100's, until Tuesday where i see there being a risk of the market gaining some topside MOF stimulus surprise (which nonetheless is capped at 103.5-104 tops - in which i would sell) but more likely MOF disappointment (e.g. 5y package, less than expected actual spending) which will give UJ seller more ammo and could push us through the 100 level, assuming UJ has traded on the offer since Sunday open (which is likely imo)..
Short
by QuantumLogicTrading
14