MarketPulse | Mar 15, 2016 07:55AM ET
USD/JPY has posted strong gains on Tuesday, trading just above the 113 line in the European session. On the release front, the Bank of Japan maintained its monetary policy, but presented a bleak assessment of the economy. In the US, we’ll get a look at Retail Sales and PPI. The markets are braced for slight declines from these key indicators. On Wednesday, the FOMC will set interest rates and release a monetary policy statement.
The BoJ did not make any changes to monetary policy on Tuesday, but sounded pessimistic about the economy and warned that weak inflation will continue. The BoJ maintained its aggressive base money target of JPY 80 trillion and a 0.1 percent negative interest rate on some reserves held by the central bank. BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda noted that exports and output is down, due to slowing growth in emerging economies. The BoJ surprised the markets in December when it adopted negative rates, but the markets and the public have soured on the move, which has failed to lift inflation or weaken the Japanese currency. Further easing steps will likely be revisited in April, with many experts expecting the BoJ to expand monetary stimulus next month.
All eyes will be on the Federal Reserve on Wednesday, as the Fed concludes a two-day policy meeting. Most experts are expecting the Fed to remain on the sidelines and not raise rates, given current economic conditions. Although the US economy continues to expand, growth has been softer in 2016 compared to the red-hot pace which marked the economy in H2 of 2015. The primary trouble spot in the economy is the inflation picture, as inflation levels remains very low, a result of weak global demand and low oil prices. Fed policymakers are divided on how to respond to persistently low inflation. Some FOMC members favor preempting inflation with a rate hike, while others feel that the economy is currently too fragile for such a move. The Fed will likely maintain its tightening bias and continue to monitor key economic indicators. If the US economy shows strength in H1 of 2016, a rate hike will be a strong possibility in the middle of the year.
USD/JPY Fundamentals
Monday (March 14)
Tuesday (March 15)
Upcoming Key Events
Wednesday (March 16)
*Key releases are highlighted in bold
*All release times are DST
USD/JPY for Tuesday, March 15, 2016
USD/JPY March 15 at 7:25 EST
Open: 113.83 Low: 112.90 High: 114.13 Close: 113.04
USD/JPY Technical
S3 | S2 | S1 | R1 | R2 | R3 |
109.87 | 111.50 | 112.48 | 113.86 | 114.65 | 115.85 |
Further levels in both directions:
OANDA’s Open Positions Ratio
USD/JPY ratio is unchanged. Long positions retain a strong majority (60%), indicative of strong trader bias towards the pair reversing directions and moving to higher levels.
Original post
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.