|

USD/JPY remains below 154.50 amid weaker US Dollar

  • USD/JPY continues to decline as the US Dollar correction exerts pressure on the pair.
  • Japan's CPI data is scheduled to be released on Friday, expecting a moderation in consumer prices for March.
  • US President Joe Biden calls for a tripling of tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum.

USD/JPY extends its losses for the second successive session, trading around 154.30 during the Asian hours on Thursday. The decline in the US Dollar (USD) exerts pressure on the USD/JPY pair. The Japanese Yen (JPY) might have received support from Japan's trade balance shifting to a surplus in March.

Japan’s Merchandise Trade Balance Total improved to ¥366.5 billion surplus from the previous deficit of ¥377.8 billion. Additionally, the Japanese Yen could have strengthened due to safe-haven inflows, likely prompted by risk aversion amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

US President Joe Biden addressed the American steel industry hub in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, advocating for heightened pressure on the Chinese steel sector. He has urged US Trade Representative Katherine Tai to explore the possibility of tripling the existing 7.5% tariff rate on Chinese steel and aluminum, according to CBS News. This development could potentially benefit the Japanese market and provide support for the Japanese Yen (JPY).

Traders anticipate the release of Japan's National Consumer Price Index (CPI) data by the Statistics Bureau of Japan on Friday, with market expectations leaning towards a moderation in consumer prices for March.

On the other hand, the expectation of the Federal Reserve (Fed) maintaining elevated interest rates for an extended period, supported by a robust US economy and persistent inflation, serves as a counterbalance to the downward pressure on the USD/JPY pair.

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester addressed on Wednesday, noting that inflation surpasses expectations and that the Fed requires more assurance before confirming the sustainability of 2% inflation. She added that monetary policy is well-positioned, with a potential rate cut if labor market conditions deteriorate.

Additionally, Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Michelle Bowman remarked that progress in inflation is slowing, potentially stalling altogether. Bowman also mentioned that monetary policy is presently restrictive, and time will determine if it is adequately so.

USD/JPY

Overview
Today last price154.28
Today Daily Change-0.11
Today Daily Change %-0.07
Today daily open154.39
 
Trends
Daily SMA20152.23
Daily SMA50150.67
Daily SMA100148.01
Daily SMA200147.5
 
Levels
Previous Daily High154.74
Previous Daily Low154.16
Previous Weekly High153.39
Previous Weekly Low151.57
Previous Monthly High151.97
Previous Monthly Low146.48
Daily Fibonacci 38.2%154.38
Daily Fibonacci 61.8%154.52
Daily Pivot Point S1154.12
Daily Pivot Point S2153.86
Daily Pivot Point S3153.55
Daily Pivot Point R1154.7
Daily Pivot Point R2155
Daily Pivot Point R3155.27

Author

Akhtar Faruqui

Akhtar Faruqui is a Forex Analyst based in New Delhi, India. With a keen eye for market trends and a passion for dissecting complex financial dynamics, he is dedicated to delivering accurate and insightful Forex news and analysis.

More from Akhtar Faruqui
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD flirts with daily highs, retargets 1.1900

EUR/USD regains upside traction, returning to the 1.1880 zone and refocusing its attention to the key 1.1900 barrier. The pair’s slight gains comes against the backdrop of a humble decline in the US Dollar as investors continue to assess the latest US CPI readings and the potential Fed’s rate path.

GBP/USD remains well bid around 1.3650

GBP/USD maintains its upside momentum in place, hovering around daily highs near 1.3650 and setting aside part of the recent three-day drop. Cable’s improved sentiment comes on the back of the Greenback’s  irresolute price action, while recent hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill also collaborate with the uptick.

Gold clings to gains just above $5,000/oz

Gold is reclaiming part of the ground lost on Wednesday’s marked decline, as bargain-hunters keep piling up and lifting prices past the key $5,000 per troy ounce. The precious metal’s move higher is also underpinned by the slight pullback in the US Dollar and declining US Treasury yields across the curve.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP in choppy price action, weighed down by falling institutional interest 

Bitcoin's upside remains largely constrained amid weak technicals and declining institutional interest. Ethereum trades sideways above $1,900 support with the upside capped below $2,000 amid ETF outflows.

Week ahead – Data blitz, Fed Minutes and RBNZ decision in the spotlight

US GDP and PCE inflation are main highlights, plus the Fed minutes. UK and Japan have busy calendars too with focus on CPI. Flash PMIs for February will also be doing the rounds. RBNZ meets, is unlikely to follow RBA’s hawkish path.

Ripple Price Forecast: XRP potential bottom could be in sight

Ripple edges up above the intraday low of $1.35 at the time of writing on Friday amid mixed price actions across the crypto market. The remittance token failed to hold support at $1.40 the previous day, reflecting risk-off sentiment amid a decline in retail and institutional sentiment.