empty
30.11.2022 09:09 AM
USD/JPY: calm before the storm

This image is no longer relevant

The dollar-yen pair is passing the time for the second straight session in anticipation of a strong impulse. It can happen right now. The Fed chief's speech should persuade the pair to turn around.

The dollar index tested a weekly high on Wednesday during Asian trading before dropping 0.13% to 106.7.

The US dollar continues to sway back and forth as market uncertainty about the likelihood of US interest rate increases is out of this world.

Recall that the Fed launched the most ferocious anti-inflation campaign of any central bank this year. This helped the greenback to strengthen significantly against its main competitors. It rose to 114.78 in September, marking a 20-year high.

The latest report on US inflation turned out to be weaker than anticipated. As a result, increased expectations that the Fed may slightly slacken its monetary rate have caused the dollar to drop twice to 105 since the middle of this month.

This week, the market's mood has once again changed. Recent remarks by Fed officials have caused traders to question whether the US is winning the war against rising prices.

John Williams, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, stated on Monday that the central bank must tighten monetary policy more quickly. James Bullard, a colleague from St. Louis, emphasized that interest rates will increase even more the following year.

Due to these positive remarks, a rate increase in December is now much more likely by 75 basis points. Although only a few people believed it a few weeks ago, traders now estimate it to be 37%.

The dollar, which appeared to have reached the peak of its bullish potential, was revived by escalating hawkish market expectations. The dollar has been able to strengthen recently in nearly all key areas, but not simultaneously with the JPY.

This image is no longer relevant

The yen, which has suffered more than other currencies this year due to a sharp rate hike in America, is currently holding on to its last hope that the Fed will soon adopt less hawkish policies with all its might.

The "Japanese" gained more than 7% against the dollar this month thanks to speculation about a potential slowdown in American rate increases.

The yen was knocked back to earth this week by the most recent remarks made by Fed officials, which slowed the sharp recovery.

The USD/JPY pair is currently frozen in anticipation of a clearer signal that should shed light on the future dynamics of interest rates in America. The pair is trading in a very small price range of 138–139.

In the opinion of many analysts, Jerome Powell's speech today should be a significant catalyst for the dollar-yen asset. His first public appearance since the FOMC meeting in November will be this one.

Dollar bulls anticipate that J. Powell, the head of the US Central Bank, will ride this wave, given that his colleagues this week expressed hawkish views.

If the Fed chief emphasizes the need for additional aggressive tightening or makes another hint at a higher level of final rates, the dollar will soar if this happens.

In this case, the yen is unlikely to be able to maintain its current levels and will probably give up the positions it has worked so hard to gain.

There is, of course, another scenario that, on the other hand, might cause another weakening of the dollar. The dollar is unlikely to hold up if traders interpret J. Powell's recent statements as more dovish, especially compared to the yen.

Analysts believe that the USD/JPY asset will become more volatile in the near future. Whatever the Federal Reserve chairman says today will drastically impact the market.

The dollar-yen asset could still weaken further, according to UOB analysts' technical analysis of the USD/JPY pair, but they also point out that its downward momentum has slowed.

According to experts, we are currently observing a strong oversold major, which suggests that a decline to the next support at the level of 137.00 is unlikely. Only if the USD/JPY pair breaks through at roughly 139.60, regarded as a strong resistance level, will the dollar's bearish momentum finally end.

Аlena Ivannitskaya,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

Dow sheds nearly 2% as Wolfspeed, Target, and UnitedHealth drag market into crisis

Indices: The Dow plunged 1.91%, the S&P 500 dropped 1.61%, and the Nasdaq fell 1.41%. Wolfspeed tumbled following reports of a potential bankruptcy. Target sank after cutting its full-year sales

13:01 2025-05-22 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 22

Google shares posted a confident advance, driven by positive technical signals. Anticipating a continued uptrend, investors are setting target levels at 176.80, 186.27, and 194.41, making the stock appealing

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:44 2025-05-22 UTC+2

Dow drops nearly 2% as Wolfspeed, Target, UnitedHealth plunge market into crisis

Indices: Dow down 1.91%, S&P 500 down 1.61%, Nasdaq down 1.41% Wolfspeed falls after bankruptcy report Target falls after cutting full-year sales forecast UnitedHealth falls after secret payment report, HSBC

Thomas Frank 10:06 2025-05-22 UTC+2

The Pound in a Trap: Why UK Inflation Is Scarier Than a US Recession

A new chapter is beginning on the currency market, and the British pound appears to be writing it. April's inflation data came as a real shock to investors: the UK's

Anna Zotova 00:05 2025-05-22 UTC+2

Falling indices, Tesla's surge, and Julius Baer's collapse: a day of sharp contrasts in the markets

Rge benchmark stock indices are falling: * Dow -0.27%, * S&P 500 -0.39%, * Nasdaq -0.38% Tesla is rising after Musk announced his willingness to return as CEO. Home Depot

12:40 2025-05-21 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 21

Following a staggering $8.6 trillion rally, the US market is showing signs of fatigue. Despite negative macroeconomic indicators and the recent US credit rating downgrade, Morgan Stanley maintains a bold

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:23 2025-05-21 UTC+2

The Dollar Is No Longer King. What You Need to Know

Historically, the U.S. dollar has been the primary safe haven during crises such as wars, sanctions, and banking shocks; investors tend to flock to the dollar as their ultimate safety

Anna Zotova 00:59 2025-05-21 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 20

Despite the downgrade of the US credit rating and rising Treasury yields, retail investors remain active buyers of equities. Net purchases have surged to a record $4 billion, signaling confidence

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:16 2025-05-20 UTC+2

Market Gains Modestly: Dow +0.32%, Nasdaq +0.02%, but Novavax Soars After Vaccine Approval

Dow Up 0.32%, S&P 500 Up 0.09%, Nasdaq Up 0.02% TXNM Energy Rises After Blackstone Deal Novavax Jumps After FDA Approval of Coronavirus Vaccine European Stocks Rise Slightly, as Utilities

Thomas Frank 11:18 2025-05-20 UTC+2

Bitcoin: What to Expect This Week. BTC Hits $107,000 – Can the Record Hold?

The leading cryptocurrency is fighting to maintain its position, even though it's not always smooth sailing. Currently, BTC is out in front, slightly simplifying the task of holding higher ground

Larisa Kolesnikova 00:40 2025-05-20 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.