USD/JPY – Japanese yen steady ahead of Tokyo Core CPI

USD/JPY continues to have a quiet week. In Thursday’s North American session, the pair is trading at 109.54, down 0.07% on the day. On the release front, U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 199 thousand, beating expectations. Japan releases Tokyo Core CPI, which is expected to post a gain of 0.9% for a second straight month.

The U.S. labor market continues to impress. Unemployment claims dropped sharply, from 213 thousand to 199 thousand. This was the first time that the indicator dropped below the 200-thousand level since 1969. The four-week average, which is less volatile, dropped by 5.5 thousand to 215,000. The strong figures indicate that the employment picture remains bright, despite the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, which has resulted in the layoff of some 800,000 government workers.

The BoJ wrapped up its monthly policy meeting, with BoJ Governor Kuroda sending out mixed messages. Kuroda warned of the risks of increased protectionism and softer global demand, but also said that he expected the economy to continue to grow at a modest pace. At the policy meeting, the bank maintained its huge stimulus program and also lowered its inflation forecast, a strong signal that the bank has no intention of reducing stimulus or raising rates anytime soon. The slowdown in China is undoubtedly raising alarm bells at the BoJ, but Governor Kuroda put on a brave face, saying that he hoped the U.S-China trade conflict would be resolved soon. However, If the U.S-China trade spat is not resolved soon, Japan could tip into recession. The export sector is hurting, as December exports fell to their lowest level in two years.

As for the yen, it posted gains of 3.4% in December, when risk appetite plunged and world stock markets fell sharply. The currency started January with gains, but these evaporated as risk appetite has improved. The lukewarm Japanese economy isn’t all that enticing for investors, but the safe-haven yen could once again become attractive if economic conditions worsen, such as a deterioration in the U.S-China trade war or softer data out of China.

Appetite for market risk is very low

Profit taking seen in light trading

USD/JPY Fundamentals

Wednesday (January 23)

• 23:30 Japanese All Industries Activity. Estimate -0.4%. Actual -0.3%

Thursday (January 24)

• 1:30 BoJ Press Conference
• 8:30 US Unemployment Claims. Estimate 219K. Actual 199K
  
• 9:45 US Flash Manufacturing PMI. Estimate 53.5. Actual 54.9
• 9:45 US Flash Services PMI. Estimate 54.0. Actual 54.2
• 10:00 US CB Leading Index. Estimate -0.1%
• 10:30 US Natural Gas Storage. Estimate -145B
• 11:00 US Crude Oil Inventories. Estimate -0.2M
• 18:30 Japanese Tokyo Core CPI. Estimate 0.9%

*All release times are EST

*Key events are in bold

USD/JPY for Thursday, January 24, 2019

USD/JPY January 24 at 10:25 EST

Open: 109.61 High: 109.80 Low: 109.43 Close: 109.54

USD/JPY Technical

USD/JPY posted small gains in the Asian session and was mostly flat in the European session. The pair edged higher in the North American session but has retracted

• 109.37 was tested earlier in support. It remains a weak line
• 110.28 is the next resistance line
• Current range: 109.37 to 110.28

Further levels in both directions:

• Below: 109.37, 108.11, 106.88 and 105.66
• Above: 110.28, 110.95 and 111.83

This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.