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Japanese Yen Struggles But USD/JPY Now Faces Danger Zone

Japanese Yen Struggles But USD/JPY Now Faces Danger Zone

David Cottle, Analyst

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Japanese Yen Technical Analysis Talking Points:

  • USD/JPY has made strong gains this week
  • However, it’s now above a range top which has yet to break for lengthy periods since it was established
  • GBP/JPY remains range-bound, unlike most other Yen crosses

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The Japanese Yen has backed down against a broadly stronger US Dollar as stronger economic data and hopes for a vaccine against coronavirus have supported the greenback and revived risk appetite at least a little.

More upbeat numbers on the US manufacturing, service sector and labor markets have raised optimism that the US economy continues to power ahead, with the end of impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, and his acquittal, adding to risk appetite.

So much for the fundamentals. Technically speaking USD/JPY is up to highs not seen for nearly two weeks on its daily chart. However, the climb has put the pair back above a broad trading band which the market has been disinclined to see it stay out of for very long since mid-October last year.

US Dollar Vs Japanese Yen, Daily Chart

Clearly its break above that range top is by no means conclusive yet, with so far only one daily close above the line to show. Dollar bulls will need to keep the pair above 109.75 to maintain altitude, and the market is at only a few ticks higher than that.

If they can keep it there, January 27’s intraday top of 110.31 will be in those bulls’ sights but getting there and staying there may prove a tall order. That was an eight-month high when it was reached, and the market only managed a few days around that level before retreating back into the range.

It’s worth noting that, for all the Dollar’s recent vigor, the Yen remains in a longer-term ascendant with the downtrend from June 2015 still in place. That is closer to a challenge than it has been for some time, however, coming in around 110.29. A sustained break of that would be bad news indeed for Yen bulls, but it doesn’t look very likely in the near or even medium term.

USD/JPY Bullish
Data provided by
of clients are net long. of clients are net short.
Change in Longs Shorts OI
Daily -5% 1% 0%
Weekly -2% 3% 2%
What does it mean for price action?
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It shouldn’t surprise that other Yen crosses evince similar traits to USD/JPY right now, with similar pickups visible in both AUD/JPY and NZD/JPY. GBP/JPY is a notable exception among major rates, probably because the Brexit story has lent the British Pound a little more autonomy to respond to more local news.

British Pound Vs Japanese Yen, Daily Chart

GBP/JPY remains in the broad range that’s been in place since the end of 2019, having just seen an attempt at the base rejected. It’s just possible that the Pound is settling into a new, lower range, however, with its top close to this week’s peak at 143.30, but this will have to await confirmation over the next few days’ trade.

Japanese Yen Resources For Traders

Whether you’re new to trading or an old hand DailyFX has plenty of resources to help you. There’s our trading sentiment indicator which shows you live how IG clients are positioned right now. We also hold educational and analytical webinars and offer trading guides, with one specifically aimed at those new to foreign exchange markets. There’s also a Bitcoin guide. Be sure to make the most of them all. They were written by our seasoned trading experts and they’re all free.

--- Written by David Cottle, DailyFX Research

Follow David on Twitter @DavidCottleFX or use the Comments section below to get in touch!

DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets.

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