In the latest hour, the Japanese Yen (JPY) relinquished most of its gains from the Asian session against the US Dollar (USD), propelling the USD/JPY exchange rate back above the 148.00 threshold. The restrained stance of Bank of Japan (BoJ) officials, who assert that discussing an exit from the ultra-loose monetary policy is premature, has limited the strengthening of the JPY. Furthermore, the current risk-on sentiment in the markets is also diminishing the JPY’s appeal as a safe haven.

On Thursday, a couple of Federal Reserve officials countered the anticipation of rapid shifts to interest rate reductions, keeping the possibility of additional tightening on the table if inflation doesn’t subside.

This stance has aided the USD in maintaining its recuperation from recent multi-month lows, further buoying the USD/JPY pair. However, the pair’s upward trajectory is constrained by predictions that the Federal Reserve may halt interest rate hikes.

Investor sentiment is leaning towards the belief that consecutive years of substantial wage increases in Japan could pave the way for the BoJ to move away from its longstanding expansive monetary policy.

This perspective is likely to curb any significant weakening of the JPY, suggesting caution in making aggressive bullish bets on the USD/JPY pair. Market focus is now shifting towards the upcoming US ISM Manufacturing PMI and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech for further direction.

Bank of Japan board members Seiji Adachi and Toyoaki Nakamura recently emphasized the need for caution in shifting policy direction, given the absence of a solid wage-inflation cycle and the need for a sustained stimulus approach. Market observers are also speculating that Japan’s notable wage growth, the most significant in three decades, might continue into 2024, potentially allowing the BoJ to adopt a less accommodative stance.

Recent macroeconomic data revealed a surprise dip in Japan’s unemployment rate to 2.5% in October, reinforcing the Japanese Yen. In contrast, US inflation data from the Commerce Department showed a stagnation in the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index for October, with a year-on-year slowdown indicative of easing inflation pressures.

Additionally, recent labor market figures indicate a rise in unemployment claims and a two-year peak in continuing claims.

Comments from New York Fed Bank President John Williams and San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly suggest a continued restrictive monetary policy, although the possibility of future rate hikes remains uncertain. Despite this, the USD is struggling to garner sustained buying interest, with market consensus leaning towards a potential easing of Federal Reserve policies by early 2024. Investors now await further insights from Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s upcoming speeches for immediate trading cues.

USD/JPY Technical Outlook

The USD/JPY pair exhibited positive momentum, testing the critical resistance at 148.30. Despite this, the pair remains capped below this level, reinforced by the EMA50 convergence at the same point, along with bearish indicators from the stochastic oscillator.

Consequently, there appears to be a viable opportunity for a continuation of the corrective bearish trend, targeting primarily the 146.17 area. However, breaching the 147.40 mark could negate this bearish outlook and prompt a resurgence of the primary bullish trend.

The expected trading range for today is between the 147.10 support and the 148.60 resistance, with a bearish trend anticipated for the day.

USD/JPY Live Chart