|

USD/JPY Forecast: Strong support at 105.00 under pressure

Current Price: 105.28

  • Yen’s momentum intact as risk aversion and volatility reigns.
  • US data irrelevant for USD/JPY that is looking at the 105.00 area.

Again on Friday, stocks tumbled, oil prices collapsed and government-bond yields hit new lows, ending a dramatic week for financial markets that included an emergency rate cut from the Federal Reserve. The growing spread of the coronavirus and global growth expectations tuned the panic button on. As long as it is on, yen’s strength will remain intact. US data on Friday included a better-than-expected employment report, but it did not offer relief for the US dollar versus the yen. Risk aversion and bond yields will continue to be the critical factor for the pair. Positive global news, related to COVID-19 or some kind of global coordinated fiscal stimulus, could favour a rebound in USD/JPY.

Short-term technical outlook

Since February 20, the pair has fallen more than 700 pips. Despite the aggressive decline, more losses seem likely if fear persists and despite the oversold readings across technical indicators. On Friday, USD/JPY traded below 105.00 for the first time since August, but it managed to stabilize above 105.00. The substantial support area around 105.00 is under pressure, and a break lower would clear the way to more losses. Potential support emerges at 104.75 (March 2018 low) followed by 104.40. If the pair remains above 105.00, some consolidation around 105.50 seems likely. Above the next resistance lies at  106.20 and then the strong zone around 106.60.

Support levels: 105.00 104.65 104.40

Resistance levels: 105.80 106.10 106.75

View Live Chart for the USD/JPY

Author

Valeria Bednarik

Valeria Bednarik was born and lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her passion for math and numbers pushed her into studying economics in her younger years.

More from Valeria Bednarik
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD hits two-day highs near 1.1820

EUR/USD picks up pace and reaches two-day tops around 1.1820 at the end of the week. The pair’s move higher comes on the back of renewed weakness in the US Dollar amid growing talk that the Fed could deliver an interest rate cut as early as March. On the docket, the flash US Consumer Sentiment improves to 57.3 in February.

GBP/USD reclaims 1.3600 and above

GBP/USD reverses two straight days of losses, surpassing the key 1.3600 yardstick on Friday. Cable’s rebound comes as the Greenback slips away from two-week highs in response to some profit-taking mood and speculation of Fed rate cuts. In addition, hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill are also collaborating with the quid’s improvement.

Gold climbs further, focus is back to 45,000

Gold regains upside traction and surpasses the $4,900 mark per troy ounce at the end of the week, shifting its attention to the critical $5,000 region. The move reflects a shift in risk sentiment, driving flows back towards traditional safe haven assets and supporting the yellow metal.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP rebound amid risk-off, $2.6 billion liquidation wave

Bitcoin edges up above $65,000 at the time of writing on Friday, as dust from the recent macro-triggered sell-off settles. The leading altcoin, Ethereum, hovers above $1,900, but resistance at $2,000 caps the upside. Meanwhile, Ripple has recorded the largest intraday jump among the three assets, up over 10% to $1.35.

Three scenarios for Japanese Yen ahead of snap election

The latest polls point to a dominant win for the ruling bloc at the upcoming Japanese snap election. The larger Sanae Takaichi’s mandate, the more investors fear faster implementation of tax cuts and spending plans. 

XRP rally extends as modest ETF inflows support recovery

Ripple is accelerating its recovery, trading above $1.36 at the time of writing on Friday, as investors adjust their positions following a turbulent week in the broader crypto market. The remittance token is up over 21% from its intraday low of $1.12.