empty
07.12.2023 04:31 AM
No surprises expected from the Bank of Canada, and the yen is preparing for a firm uptrend. Overview of USD, CAD, JPY

The number of job vacancies in the United States, as per the JOLTS report, slowed more than expected, coming in at 8.733 million in October (forecast: 9.300 million, previous: 9.350 million). In addition, JOLTS showed that the ratio of vacancies to unemployed fell to 1.34 (from 1.47), the lowest level since August 2021, suggesting that labor markets continue to cool.

The ISM in the US services sector grew more than expected, reaching 52.7 points (forecast: 52.3 points), with the employment index close to neutral and prices decreasing. Overall, the ISM supports the forecast of moderate economic growth in the US services sector.

USD/CAD

The Bank of Canada will publish the final statement on monetary policy after a two-day meeting. The forecast is neutral, with the current rate of 5% expected to remain unchanged, but the tone of the accompanying statement may change.

Inflation expectations for the next two years remain very high, the labor market is still overheated, which also contributes to inflationary pressures, and the fundamental indicators of the economy as a whole are better than expected. Accordingly, reasons for further wage growth remain substantial, and there is a chance that the Bank of Canada will decide on another rate hike. This probability is low, but it exists, and if it happens, the loonie could strengthen immediately by two figures, dropping below the 133.80 level.

A more likely scenario is an unchanged interest rate with a moderately hawkish statement, and the focus will shift to Bank of Canada Governor Macklem's speech on Thursday. In this case, volatility will be low, and the pair could move in any direction if Macklem outlines the contours of credit and monetary policy for the near term, as expected.

The net short CAD position decreased by 117 million to -4.66 billion over the reporting week, and the bearish bias remains intact. The price has no direction.

This image is no longer relevant

The Canadian dollar has strengthened against the USD in the past month, following general market trends. However, on the futures market, longs on the CAD are weak, speculative positioning is clearly not in its favor, and there are no signs of a change in trend. We assume that the current decline in USD/CAD is corrective and lacks deep fundamental justification.

The decline in USD/CAD ended at the technical level of 1.3493 (50% of the July-October rise), and there's a low probability of falling below the next support at 1.3380/3400. A more reasonable scenario is consolidation with an attempt to rebound, targeting 1.3690/3710, or sideways trading awaiting new data.

USD/JPY

In financial circles in Japan, the discussion intensifies regarding when and under what conditions the Bank of Japan will start its exit strategy from negative interest rates. Currently, the most suitable date mentioned is the meeting on April 25-26, which will follow immediately after major employers begin implementing the agreement on adjusting average wages.

Calculations by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare showed that in 2023, the average wage increased by 3.2%, which is 1.3% higher than the previous year. The key question for 2024 is not whether the largest companies can afford another year of significant growth. If this growth continues, Japan may finally emerge from a state of internal deflation that it has been grappling with for at least two decades, and inflation in the last two years has been almost exclusively imported. If wages continue to rise, the BOJ will not delay its exit from negative rates, significantly strengthening the yen.

The market is thus preparing for the yen to begin strengthening as soon as markets can confirm such news. While yen positioning is currently bearish, and there are no signs of a massive capital movement favoring yen purchases in anticipation of future growth, the first signs are already emerging.

The net short position increased by 375 million over the reporting week to -9.25 billion, indicating a bearish bias. This suggests that another attempt at growth in the short- to medium-term is possible before a final reversal to the downside. At the same time, the price is below the long-term average and is clearly heading downwards, making signs of increasing bullish prospects for the yen more evident.

This image is no longer relevant

USD/JPY has reached the target of 145.90, updating its low set the week before. We expect that after consolidation, the pair will continue to fall. Resistances at 147.50/60, further at 148.52, indicate that an upward movement is unlikely under current conditions. If signals from Japan suggest that the scenario outlined above has a chance of realization, the pair will continue to fall, with the nearest target at 145.08, followed by 144.30/50. Clear signals from the BOJ are necessary for a deeper decline.

Kuvat Raharjo,
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

EUR/JPY: What Are the Growth Prospects for the EUR/JPY Pair Going Forward?

The EUR/JPY pair has been drawing buyers for the fourth consecutive day, continuing its recovery from the 159.65 level, where last week's monthly low was recorded. The intraday positive trend

Irina Yanina 11:36 2025-01-22 UTC+2

U.S. Stock Investors Welcome Trump's Policy Implementation (Gold and #NDX Prices May Continue Rising)

Trading on U.S. stock markets concluded on a positive note on the first working day under the new president. U.S. stock indexes experienced broad support, driven by increased demand

Pati Gani 09:37 2025-01-22 UTC+2

Overview of the GBP/USD Pair on January 22: The Pound's Brief Respite Comes to an End

The GBP/USD currency pair mirrored the decline of the EUR/USD on Tuesday. As noted in previous analyses, the dollar's drop on Monday lacked a fundamental basis, and a correction

Paolo Greco 04:42 2025-01-22 UTC+2

Overview of the EUR/USD Pair on January 22: We Lived Through Boring Years Without Trump

The EUR/USD currency pair began to recover much of the ground it lost on Monday during Tuesday's session, as expected. On Monday, the U.S. dollar experienced a sharp decline

Paolo Greco 04:42 2025-01-22 UTC+2

Recent gas market developments

The gas market saw an uptick following the announcement by US President Donald Trump of a state of emergency in the US oil and gas sector, along with his approval

Miroslaw Bawulski 11:41 2025-01-21 UTC+2

USD/JPY: Analysis and Forecast

The current position of the Japanese yen reflects a complex balance between the positive sentiment in equity markets and expectations of interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan

Irina Yanina 11:37 2025-01-21 UTC+2

USD/CAD: Donald Trump's Tariff Statements for Canada Shake the Market

The USD/CAD pair shows a correction after significant intraday growth. The Canadian dollar weakened under selling pressure after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose 25% tariffs on imports

Irina Yanina 11:29 2025-01-21 UTC+2

Overview of the GBP/USD Pair on January 21: The Pound Clings to a Straw

The GBP/USD currency pair experienced growth on Monday, coinciding with the start of the U.S. trading session. It's important to note that this growth did not stem from any specific

Paolo Greco 05:19 2025-01-21 UTC+2

Overview of the EUR/USD Pair on January 21: Trump's Inauguration Changes Nothing

The EUR/USD pair traded relatively calmly on Monday, at least during the first half of the day. However, with the opening of the U.S. session, volatility surged sharply. The subsequent

Paolo Greco 05:19 2025-01-21 UTC+2

EUR/USD: The Illusion Bubble – Dollar Weakens Amid Strengthened Risk Sentiment

Markets are optimistic ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration. Increased risk appetite has allowed EUR/USD buyers to recover from Friday's lows, with the pair now trading above the 1.0300 target

Irina Manzenko 23:40 2025-01-20 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.