EUR/JPY trades below 161.50 after pulling back from four-week highs

EUR/JPY retreats after hitting a four-week-high of 162.47 on Tuesday.
The German IFO Business Climate came in at 84.7 in December, down from November’s 85.6 reading.
The JPY may struggle due to increased chances of the BoJ holding off on a rate hike on Thursday.

Akhtar Faruqui FXStreet

EUR/JPY halts its two days of gains, pulling back from a four-week high of 162.47, which was marked on Tuesday. The downside of the EUR/JPY cross is bolstered by the release of mixed German data from the CESifo Group, trading around 161.30 during the European hours.

The headline German IFO Business Climate Index declined to 84.7 in December, from the previous reading of 85.6. Meanwhile, the Current Economic Assessment Index improved to 85.1 from 84.3 in November, surpassing the estimated 84.0. However, the Expectations Index, reflecting firms' outlook for the next six months, dropped sharply to 84.4 in December compared to 87.0 in November.

The Euro faces challenges following the dovish remarks from ECB President Christine Lagarde on Monday. Lagarde spoke at the Annual Economics Conference, indicating that the ECB is prepared to cut rates further if incoming data confirm that disinflation remains on track. Lagarde also signaled a shift in policy stance, noting that the previous bias toward maintaining "sufficiently restrictive" rates is no longer warranted.

Moreover, data showed on Monday that Eurozone PMI figures exceeded expectations in December; however, Services PMI surveys remain in contraction territory amid growing concerns about a deepening economic slowdown in Europe, which continues to weigh on investor and business sentiment.

However, the downside of the EUR/JPY cross would be limited as the Japanese Yen (JPY) may depreciate due to the rising likelihood that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) may avoid an interest rate hike on Thursday.

The markets are currently pricing in less than a 30% chance of a BoJ’s rate hike in December. Several Bank of Japan (BoJ) policymakers seem in no hurry to tighten monetary policy further, given the minimal risk of inflation overshooting despite Japan's persistently near-zero borrowing costs.

Reports suggested the central bank sees "little cost" in delaying further tightening, preferring to wait for more evidence of wage growth before implementing additional policy adjustments. Japan's economy minister, Ryosei Akazawa, reaffirmed that the Bank of Japan and the government will collaborate on appropriate monetary policies.

Economic Indicator

IFO – Business Climate

This German business sentiment index released by the CESifo Group is closely watched as an early indicator of current conditions and business expectations in Germany. The Institute surveys more than 7,000 enterprises on their assessment of the business situation and their short-term planning. The positive economic growth anticipates bullish movements for the EUR, while a low reading is seen as negative (or bearish).

EUR/USD faces next resistance near 1.1930

EUR/USD has surrendered its earlier intraday advance on Thursday and is now hovering uncomfortably around the 1.1860 region amid modest gains in the US Dolla. Moving forward, markets are exoected to closely follow Friday’s release of US CPI data.

GBP/USD inching closer to 1.36

The Pound Sterling edged higher to 1.3640 on Thursday, recovering from an earlier pullback after stronger-than-expected US jobs data initially weighed on the pair. The Bank of England held rates at 3.75% at its February 4 meeting in a narrow 5-4 vote split, with four members preferring a 25 basis point cut to 3.50%.

Gold falls to near $4,900 as selling pressure intensifies

Gold price faces some selling pressure around $4,910 during the early Asian session on Friday. The yellow metal tumbles over 3.50% on the day, with algorithmic traders appearing to amplify the precious metal’s sudden drop. Traders will closely monitor the release of the US Consumer Price Index inflation report for January, which will be released later on Friday.

Ethereum investors face huge unrealized losses following price slump

US spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds flipped negative again on Wednesday after recording net outflows of $129.1 million, reversing mild inflows seen at the beginning of the week, per SoSoValue data. Fidelity's FETH was responsible for more than half of withdrawals, posting outflows of $67 million.

A tale of two labour markets: Headline strength masks underlying weakness

Undoubtedly, yesterday’s delayed US January jobs report delivered a strong headline – one that surpassed most estimates. However, optimism quickly faded amid sobering benchmark revisions.

Aster Price Forecast: Demand sparks on Binance Wallet partnership for on-chain perpetuals

Aster is up roughly 9% so far on Thursday, hinting at the breakout of a crucial resistance level. Aster partners up with Binance wallet for the second season of the on-chain perpetuals challenge.