FX Update: JPY tries to work up a head of steam post-BoJ

FX Update: JPY tries to work up a head of steam post-BoJ

Forex 5 minutes to read
John J. Hardy

Chief Macro Strategist

Summary:  A further rise in US yields yesterday, even at the shorter end of the US yield curve, spooked risk sentiment once again, and a mini-crash in crude oil prices has pressured commodity currencies and spoiled the NOK bulls parade in the wake of the Norges Bank meeting. The most interesting development overnight, however, was the potent rally in the Japanese yen before and after the Bank of Japan announced its policy review.


FX Trading focus: Calming yields overnight boost JPY rally on BoJ

While it was the further yield spike yesterday that reversed the initial reaction to the FOMC meeting that unsettled markets, the combination of easing yield pressures overnight and the Bank of Japan policy review is helping to ignite a revival of the Japanese yen – or at least a respectable consolidation after its long run lower. The three-month policy review has resulted in the bank announcing an expanded range for the 10-year JGB yield, which will be allowed to trade 25 basis points above or below zero. This was more than expected, but is hardly heady stuff if US and other long yields are set to rip higher still in coming months. Somewhat more “hawkish”, the bank announced it will no longer purchase Nikkei 225 ETFs, only buying broader Topix ETFs and it removed the lower bound of purchases, suggesting that it doesn’t have to buy any stocks if it doesn’t want to.

This policy review was launched in the midst of a very different set of circumstances than we see at present and amounts more or less to a “checking of the box” of having carried a review out and a very modest recognition of the changed environment internationally (prospects for opening up and rising yields), but is not hawkish by a long stretch. There may be a trading opportunity or two for a consolidation higher for the JPY after is very long run lower, especially if rates back off for a while and commodities go through a consolidation wave or two. The EURJPY chart is a technical and low-ish beta base case for a bit of consolidation after yesterday’s engulfing candlestick and momentum turning. But beyond the near term of a few one to three weeks, the only chunky up-side scenario for the yen would be a deflationary bust – not where the market is by any stretch of the imagination at the moment. JPY bears close watching as well on the transition to a new financial year after the end of this month.

Odds and ends

TRY holds well after CBT “credibility hike”  - this is a positive sign for TRY that the currency held its rally well yesterday in the wake of the CBT hiking 200 bps vs. 100 bps expected, and the plunge in oil prices is a kicker of a tailwind for the TRY. Another run below 7.00 for USDTRY possible here as long as US yields slow or reverse their rise as well, as long as EM credit remains complacent.

BoE doesn’t stand in the way - the Bank of England meeting came and went yesterday without notable fuss, and the lack of concern on the steep backup in longer term yields of late suggests that the bank retains the same comfort that fiscal stimulus is sufficiently strong in the UK to overwhelm any concern about longer rates rising. EURGBP champing at the bit for more declines – are we set for a run all the way to 0.8300? The market is getting more aggressive in pricing in BoE hikes than Fed hikes for the late 2022 time frame. Local resistance at 1.4000 in GBPUSD quite clear-cut for whether that pair can press higher.

Russia surprises with a hike of 25 bps to 4.50%. This is an aggressive move by the Russian central bank likely linked to the recent sharp sell-off in the ruble on comments from Biden on Russia and Putin, specifically. The hike is getting some respect from the market – though USDRUB trades in the middle of last month’s range.  The inflation rate has moved above the inflation rate in recent months, and the central bank had already signaled incoming hikes, and international investors will treat RUB with extreme caution until the shape of possible US sanctions is known. The key technical line in the sand to the upside is the 75.00 level in USDRUB.

NOK and CAD stopped in their tracks by crude oil meltdown. An overdue oil correction came all at once yesterday and spoiled the NOK bulls party on the very day that the Norges Bank brought forward rate hike expectations, keeping EURNOK well away from the interesting 10.00 area. NOKSEK impressively managed to re-take parity today and offers the sense that as long as the energy market doesn’t fall apart, there may yet be hope that the recent break above 0.9950-1.000 will stick. For CAD, the crude sell-off finally saw USDCAD finding support below 1.2400, and the rebound found resistance just north of 1.2500 (more below)

Chart: USDCAD
USDCAD bounce sharply after punching through to new lows no seen since early 2018 on the sharp reversal in crude oil prices. The pair found resistance near the 1.2500 round level and prior low. The USDCAD trend has been persistent for months, although since December each new has been quickly gathered up for a period of consolidation. To provide any sense that the pair is putting in a more significant low, we would need to see a punch rally back to 1.2700-50. Until then, 1.2600 is the next resistance area after 1.2500.

Source: Saxo Group

Graphic: FX Board of G10 + CNH trends and momentum
The trend evolution readings lately are mostly an exercising in watching recent strong trends slow or slightly reverse, as we await signs for whether the USD is going to launch into a full bore rally after its sharp snapback earlier this month, as well as watching how profoundly the commodity currencies will continue to stumble (CAD never suffered as much as other commodity FX recently) and how much further consolidation, if any, the old safe havens JPY and CHF will see to the upside here.

Source: Bloomberg and Saxo Group

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    The Fed started the US rate cut cycle in Q3 and in this macro outlook we will explore how the rate c...
  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    After a period of historically high equity index concentration driven by the 'Magnificent Seven' sto...
  • FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    As we enter the final quarter of 2024, currency markets are set for heightened turbulence due to US ...
  • Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperfo...
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynami...
  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the "two-lane economy," European equities, energy commodities, and the impact of US fiscal p...
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Quarterly Outlook

    Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain ...
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities i...

Disclaimer

The Saxo Group entities each provide execution-only service, and access to analysis permitting a person to view and/or use content available on or via the website is not intended to and does not change or expand on this. Such access and use are at all times subject to (i) The Terms of Use; (ii) Full Disclaimer; (iii) The Risk Warning; (iv) the Inspiration Disclaimer and (v) Notices applying to Trade Inspiration, Saxo News & Research and/or its content in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of hyperlinks on the website of a member of the Saxo Group by which access to Saxo News & Research is gained. Such content is therefore provided as no more than information. In particular, no advice is intended to be provided or to be relied on as provided nor endorsed by any Saxo Group entity; nor is it to be construed as solicitation or an incentive provided to subscribe for or sell or purchase any financial instrument. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. As such no Saxo Group entity will have or be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information which is available on Saxo News & Research or as a result of the use of the Saxo News & Research. Orders given and trades effected are deemed intended to be given or effected for the account of the customer with the Saxo Group entity operating in the jurisdiction in which the customer resides and/or with whom the customer opened and maintains his/her trading account. Saxo News & Research does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication under relevant laws.

Trading in financial instruments carries risk, and may not be suitable for you. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Please read our disclaimers:
Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-sg/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)

None of the information contained here constitutes an offer to purchase or sell a financial instrument, or to make any investments. Saxo Markets does not take into account your personal investment objectives or financial situation and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information nor for any loss arising from any investment made in reliance of this presentation. Any opinions made are subject to change and may be personal to the author. These may not necessarily reflect the opinion of Saxo Markets or its affiliates.

Saxo Markets
88 Market Street
CapitaSpring #31-01
Singapore 048948

Contact Saxo

Select region

Singapore
Singapore

Saxo Capital Markets Pte Ltd ('Saxo Markets') is a company authorised and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) [Co. Reg. No.: 200601141M ] and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saxo Bank A/S, headquartered in Denmark. Please refer to our General Business Terms & Risk Warning to consider whether acquiring or continuing to hold financial products is suitable for you, prior to opening an account and investing in a financial product.

Trading in financial instruments carries various risks, and is not suitable for all investors. Please seek expert advice, and always ensure that you fully understand these risks before trading. Trading in leveraged products such as Margin FX products may result in your losses exceeding your initial deposits. Saxo Markets does not provide financial advice, any information available on this website is ‘general’ in nature and for informational purposes only. Saxo Markets does not take into account an individual’s needs, objectives or financial situation.

The Saxo trading platform has received numerous awards and recognition. For details of these awards and information on awards visit www.home.saxo/en-sg/about-us/awards.

The information or the products and services referred to on this website may be accessed worldwide, however is only intended for distribution to and use by recipients located in countries where such use does not constitute a violation of applicable legislation or regulations. Products and Services offered on this website are not intended for residents of the United States, Malaysia and Japan. Please click here to view our full disclaimer.

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the US and other countries and regions. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.