Forecast USDJPY This is not financial advice. Educational purpose only."
I am preparing to take a short position on USDJPY starting next week, in alignment with the upcoming rollover of futures contracts. My analysis is based on a combination of technical, macroeconomic, behavioral, and institutional elements.
From a technical perspective, a clear bearish reversal divergence is visible on the weekly chart using the 21-period RSI based on HLCC/4. While the price is making higher highs, momentum is weakening, indicating a loss of bullish strength. This setup is reinforced by a long-term continuation divergence that has been forming since the major tops of 1971, suggesting a possible terminal phase in the current cycle.
COT data supports this view. Large speculators have been steadily reducing their long positions on USDJPY over recent weeks. More significantly, these same institutional players have begun accumulating long positions on Japanese yen futures (6J), often a precursor to a monetary rotation. The upcoming rollover of futures contracts next week could trigger a more pronounced shift in institutiona positioning.
Macroeconomic data from the United States also confirms a slowdown. Core PCE came in at 0.1%, below expectations. Nonfarm Payrolls underperformed, and the ISM Services Index dropped below 50, signaling contraction. In contrast, Japan maintains stable inflation around 2.3%, which gives the Bank of Japan room to begin policy normalization. The yield differential is starting to narrow, a historically bearish factor for USDJPY.
Finally, market sentiment remains skewed. Retail traders are still heavily positioned long on USDJPY. Such imbalances, where retail crowds are long and institutional players are exiting, often precede sharp reversals.
If the expected institutional reallocation materializes after the futures rollover, I will enter a short position. Technical, fundamental, and cyclical factors are now fully aligned.
"This is a personal market view. Always do your own research before making trading decisions."
