The USD/JPY pair continues to decline and reached the level of 151.64. This is due to the weakening of the US dollar and growing expectations of tightening monetary policy by the Bank of Japan.
Tomorrow's data on the labor market and inflation in Japan (at 01:30 GMT+2) may have a significant impact on the further actions of the regulator. According to forecasts:
- The unemployment rate will rise from 2.4% to 2.5%.
- The core consumer price index in Tokyo will rise to 2.0%, reaching the upper limit of the target range of the Bank of Japan.
- Retail sales are expected to accelerate (from 0.5% to 2.2%) and industrial production (from 1.6% to 3.9%).
Analysts estimate the probability of a rate hike by the Bank of Japan by the end of the year at 60%. However, much depends on the December meeting of the US Federal Reserve. If the US Central Bank maintains the current rate, the probability of monetary restriction by the Bank of Japan will increase by 25 bps.
The American dollar: pressure factors
The dollar index is trading at 106.10 and is currently declining after the publication of data on US GDP for the third quarter (falling from 3.0% to 2.8%) and the deflator (from 2.5% to 1.9%). Despite the reduction in initial applications for unemployment benefits (from 215 thousand to 213 thousand), the total number of applications increased to 1,907 million. At the same time, the basic price index of personal consumption expenditures rose to 2.8%, and household incomes rose to 0.6%, indicating continuing inflation risks.
USD/JPY Technical analysis for today
The pair is held within the downward correction inside the ascending channel 157.70–150.00.
The indicators show weak buy signals: the EMA on the alligator indicator is approaching the signal line, and the awesome oscillator (AO) histogram shows a downward trend.
Trading recommendations
- We will open sales after breaking down the level of 150.70 with a target of 146.90. We place the stop loss at 152.00.
- We consider purchases after fixing the price above 152.50 with a target of 156.30. Stop loss - 151.00.