JPY: Asia USD/JPY Wrap - Ueda Puts the Brakes On The Move Lower, For Now ?

Jun-03 04:43

The Asia-Pac USD/JPY range has been 142.38 - 143.27, Asia is currently trading around 143.10. USD/JPY has had an unexpected bounce in our session as the BOJ Governor pushes back on being forced to raise rates. 

  • (Dow Jones) via BBG - “The yen weakens against most other G-10 and Asian currencies in the morning session on possible dovish signs in BOJ Gov. Ueda's comments earlier. Ueda said that uncertainty, including on trade policy outlook, remains high and could remain so even after the tariffs are determined. Ueda said the central bank isn't predetermining rate decisions and won't push for rate increases just to make room for future rate cuts.”
  • Bank of Japan Governor Ueda, speaking in parliament, said the BoJ will review its bond tapering plans at the next policy meeting on June 17, taking into account feedback from bond market participants. Additionally, he pointed out that sharp movements in long-term yields could influence short-term rates.
  • BOJ GOV UEDA: MINUTES OF BOJ'S MEETING WITH BOND MARKET PLAYERS SHOWED MANY THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR BOJ TO CONTINUE TAPERING BOND BUYING WHILE STRIKING BALANCE BETWEEN FLEXIBILITY AND PREDICTABILITY" RTRS
  • The market seems very confident of a move lower in USD/JPY but with positioning quite large now we have seen the risk of pullbacks increase. Resistance around the 146.00 area held perfectly and the JPY bulls would be quite relieved as well as vindicated by the price action.
  • The USD is looking like it is about to start another leg lower. A break below 142.00 in USD/JPY and all eyes will once again turn to the pivotal 140.00 area. Sellers should emerge on a bounce back towards the 144.00 area now.
  • Options : Close significant option expiries for NY cut, based on DTCC data: 143.00($450m). Upcoming Close Strikes : 140.00($1.89b June 5), 140.00($1.13b June 6).

    Fig 1 : USD/JPY Spot Hourly Chart

    image

    Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg

Historical bullets

USDCAD TECHS: Hits Bear Trigger, New Cycle Low

May-02 20:00
  • RES 4: 1.4415 High Apr 1
  • RES 3: 1.4296 High Apr 7
  • RES 2: 1.4087 50-day EMA
  • RES 1: 1.3906/3935 High Apr 17 / 20-day EMA 
  • PRICE: 1.3793 @ 17:00 BST May 2
  • SUP 1: 1.3760 Low Apr 21 and the bear trigger
  • SUP 2: 1.3744 76.4% retracement of Sep 25 ‘24 - Feb 3 bull run
  • SUP 3: 1.3696 Low Oct 10 2024
  • SUP 4: 1.3643 Low Oct 9 ‘24 

The trend set-up in USDCAD deteriorated further Friday, with prices slipping through the bear trigger to narrow the gap with next support. The fresh cycle low reinforces the bear cycle and signals scope for a continuation near-term. Potential is seen for a move towards 1.3744, a Fibonacci retracement. Moving average studies are in a bear mode position, highlighting a dominant downtrend. First resistance to watch is 1.3943, the 20-day EMA.  

AUDUSD TECHS: Consolidation Phase

May-02 19:30
  • RES 4: 0.6550 61.8% retracement of the Sep 30 ‘24 - Apr 9 bear leg  
  • RES 3: 0.6528 High Nov 29 ‘24
  • RES 2: 0.6471 High Dec 9 ‘24
  • RES 1: 0.6470 High May 2
  • PRICE: 0.6445 @ 16:59 BST May 2
  • SUP 1: 0.6344/6316 Low Apr 24 / 50-day EMA  
  • SUP 2: 0.6181 Low Apr 11  
  • SUP 3: 0.6116 Low Apr 10 
  • SUP 4: 0.5915 Low Apr 9 and key support  

AUDUSD remains inside a consolidation phase, having traded either side of the 0.6400 level for 10 consecutive sessions. The underlying trend remains bullish and the pair is trading close to recent highs. Price has recently breached a key resistance at 0.6409, the Dec 9 ‘24 high. This breach reinforces bullish conditions and signals scope for a continuation higher near-term. Sights are on 0.6471 next, the Dec 9 2024 high. Initial key support to monitor is 0.6316, the 50-day EMA. A clear break of this EMA would be a concern for bulls.

US TSYS: Rates Retreat, Sentiment Improved Though Trade Risk Remains

May-02 19:24
  • Treasuries look to finish near late Friday session lows after trading firmer on the open, higher than expected Nonfarm payrolls at 177k (sa, cons 138k) of which private contributed 167k (sa, cons 125k) triggered the early reversal.
  • However, two-month revisions of -58k offset the 39k beat for nonfarm payrolls, with a similar story for private (a 42k surprise vs -48k two-month revision).
  • Stocks are back near four week highs - pre-"Liberation Day" levels as hopes of some trade deal being made improved sentiment.
  • The Wall Street Journal reports that "Beijing is considering ways to address the Trump administration’s gripes over China’s role in the fentanyl trade... potentially offering an off-ramp from hostilities to allow for trade talks to start." The Journal notes that "discussions remain fluid" and China "would like to see some softening of stance from President Trump".
  • Currently, the Jun'25 10Y contract trades -20 at 111-07.5 vs 111-02 low -- initial technical support (50-dma) followed by 110-16.5/109-08 (Low Apr 22 / 11 and the bear trigger). Curves bear flattened, 2s10s -3.480 at 48.002, 5s30s -4.911 at 86.807.