USD/JPY Plunges, Heads Towards its First Losing Week Since March
USD/JPY Analysis
The latest batch of data from the US showed that inflation moderated in April, but remains exceptionally high. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) eased to +8.3% year-over-year, from 8.5% prior and the Producer Price Index (PPI) deescalated to 11.0%, from 11.5% prior (revised).
Surging Inflation has forced the US Federal Reserve to move aggressively on monetary tightening, having already delivered two consecutive rate hikes. Last week however, Chair Powell appeared a bit conservative on the size of upcoming rate adjustments, taking of the table, larger 75 basis points moves. [1]
After the last CPI report yesterday, Mr Bullard who is a voter and prominent hawk, backed this plan, saying that 0.5% moves "is a good benchmark for now" and that 75 basis points is "not my base case", in a Yahoo Finance Interview. [2]
In any case, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) is on a completely different phase, having reiterated its pledge to buy unlimited amounts of government bonds (JGBs), in its last policy decision in late-April.
This divergence has sent USD/JPY to a massive rally since March, that led to new twenty-year highs on Monday (131.26). According to today's Summary of Opinions from the BoJ's April 27-28 meeting, officials view as "necessary" the continuation of the current "powerful monetary easing".[3]
The Summary also revealed the members' belief that the Yen's depreciation "works positively in the current situation", which does not bode well with a recent survey from Reuters, which had shown that the majority of Japanese companies are worried over the Yen's weakness.[4]
USD/JPY plunges today, as the rally runs out of steam and the risk-off mood along with the sell-off in Cryptocurrencies, seem to help the Yen. The pair looks poised to pause its relentless nine-week advance, and is now exposed to the EMA200 and the 23.6% Fibonacci form this year's lows to the highs (127.12-126.90). A breach of this area can spark a deeper correction towards the 38.2% level (124.51), but we are cautious about the downside.
Despite the poor performance today, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) points to oversold levels and the 127.12-126.90 region has the ability to provide support, from a technical prospective. As long as these levels are defended, bulls can push back to 130.00 and eventually set new highs, but this will likely need fresh impetus.
Nikos Tzabouras
Senior Financial Editorial Writer
Nikos Tzabouras is a graduate of the Department of International & European Economic Studies at the Athens University of Economics and Business. With extensive experience in market analysis and a strong foundation in international relations, he brings a unique perspective to financial markets. Nikos emphasizes not only technical analysis but also on fundamentals and the growing influence of geopolitics on financial trends.
As a Senior Financial Editorial Writer, he delivers comprehensive and forward-looking insights across a wide range of asset classes, including equities, commodities, and currencies. His work explores how macroeconomic events, political developments, and global policies impact market dynamics, providing readers with a deeper understanding of both short-term movements and long-term trends.
References
| Retrieved 12 May 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch | |
| Retrieved 12 May 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch | |
| Retrieved 12 May 2022 https://www.boj.or.jp/en/mopo/mpmsche_minu/opinion_2022/opi220428.pdf | |
| Retrieved 19 Apr 2026 https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/exclusive-three-quarters-japan-firms-bemoan-current-yen-weakness-bad-business-2022-04-13/ |
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