empty
20.08.2024 03:18 PM
Will the yen return to the game?

In July, the yen became the most effective currency on Forex, strengthening by 7% against the U.S. dollar, and at the peak of Black Monday, its growth hit 12.5%. However, since then, concerns about a U.S. recession and the overnight rate hike by the Bank of Japan have subsided. USD/JPY has entered a consolidation phase, and now, investors are wondering where the pair will head next. Both the bulls and the bears have their own arguments.

For the past three years, the yen has been a clear underperformer on Forex. Just seven weeks ago, hedge funds held short positions in the currency of Japan at their highest levels since 2007. However, by the week ending August 13, they became net buyers of the yen for the first time since March 2021. On paper, this suggests that the unwinding of carry trades might have concluded. The fate of the yen will depend on whether carry traders are willing to return.

Speculative Position Dynamics on the Yen

This image is no longer relevant

The improvement in global risk appetite, evidenced by the ongoing rally in U.S. stock indices, the wide yield differentials between U.S. and Japanese bonds, and the slow pace of monetary policy normalization by the BoJ, suggests a gradual return to carry trades and supports the case for buying USD/JPY.

On the other hand, the persistence of high volatility on Forex, partly due to the upcoming September election of Japan's new prime minister and the November U.S. presidential election, creates significant obstacles for carry traders. Adding to this is the narrowing divergence in monetary policy between the Fed and the Bank of Japan, leading Europe's largest asset manager, Amundi, to predict a decline in USD/JPY to the 140 level, the lowest since July 2023.

In reality, the fate of the pair will depend on how quickly the central banks move. If the futures market is correct about a 100 bps cut in the federal funds rate in 2024, the U.S. dollar may be in trouble. If not, the American currency may still perform well. The Bank of Japan's actions are anticipated to be supportive. In the best-case scenario for the yen, it might raise the overnight rate from the current 0.25% one more time this year. In the worst case, it may not raise the rate at all.

This image is no longer relevant

Investors may soon receive some clues. Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak at Jackson Hole at the end of the week on August 23, while Kazuo Ueda will speak before the Japanese parliament on the same day. Markets are also awaiting the release of inflation data in Japan for July. If consumer prices, as Bloomberg experts predict, continue to accelerate, the BoJ will have no choice but to further tighten monetary policy.

Technically, on the daily chart, USD/JPY is forming an inside bar. In such conditions, it makes sense to set pending orders to buy the U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen from the 147.3 level and to sell from the support level at the pivot point of 145.7.

Marek Petkovich,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Gold maintains a bearish tone today, though it has slightly recovered from the daily low, climbing back above the $3300 level. Investors continue to hope for a potential de-escalation

Irina Yanina 12:23 2025-04-25 UTC+2

The Market Has Nowhere Left to Run

While Donald Trump and Beijing are still trying to figure out whether trade negotiations between the U.S. and China are happening at all, the S&P 500 continues to climb

Marek Petkovich 11:57 2025-04-25 UTC+2

The U.S. Dollar Rises — Here's Why

The U.S. dollar strengthened against a number of global currencies, as did the U.S. stock market, following reports that the Chinese government is considering suspending its 125% tariffs on certain

Jakub Novak 11:31 2025-04-25 UTC+2

Why Could Gold Prices Drop Significantly? (There's a chance gold will continue to decline while the CFD on the NASDAQ 100 futures contract may rise)

The beginning of actual negotiations could lead to a significant drop in gold prices in the near future. In previous articles, I suggested that the previously surging price of gold

Pati Gani 10:14 2025-04-25 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – April 25: The Fed Is Starting to Worry for Real

The GBP/USD currency pair traded higher on Thursday, remaining near its 3-year highs. Despite the British pound's strong rally in recent months, corrections are still rare in the forex market

Paolo Greco 07:57 2025-04-25 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – April 25: America Files a Lawsuit Against Trump

The EUR/USD currency pair continued to trade calmly on Thursday, although volatility remained relatively high. This week, the US dollar showed some signs of recovery—something that could already be considered

Paolo Greco 07:57 2025-04-25 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on April 25? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

A few macroeconomic events are scheduled for Friday, but this doesn't matter, as the market continues to ignore 90% of all publications. Among the more or less significant reports today

Paolo Greco 07:06 2025-04-25 UTC+2

The Yen Is Looking Stronger and Stronger

The nationwide Consumer Price Index published last week showed accelerated core inflation in March—from 2.6% to 2.9%. Inflationary pressure is increasing, supporting the case for further interest rate hikes

Kuvat Raharjo 01:23 2025-04-25 UTC+2

Canada Awaits Election Results. USD/CAD Outlook

Last week, the Bank of Canada kept its interest rate unchanged at 2.75%, as expected. The accompanying statement was neutral in tone, emphasizing ongoing uncertainty. Confidence is hard to maintain

Kuvat Raharjo 00:59 2025-04-25 UTC+2

The Australian Dollar Could Suffer If the U.S.-China Trade War Escalates

U.S. President Donald Trump once again commented on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, openly expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of rate cuts. Another public expression of disapproval of the Fed's

Kuvat Raharjo 00:59 2025-04-25 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.