USDJPY grinds within immediate range as holiday-shortened week begins
USDJPY registered the first weekly loss in three amid mixed concerns about the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) next move, especially when the policymakers hesitated to stick to the hawkish plan after the first rate hike in 17 years. However, the broad US Dollar strength and an upbeat performance of the yields put a floor under the prices. Apart from the mixed fundamentals, the Yen pair’s inability to break the seven-week-old horizontal support zone surrounding 150.75-90, as well as cross an upward-sloping resistance line stretched from March 20, close to the 152.00 threshold, restrict short-term moves of the pair. It’s worth noting, however, that the quote’s sustained trading beyond the 100 and 200 SMA join steady oscillators to keep the buyers hopeful. That said, an upside clearance of the 152.00 immediate resistance could quickly propel the prices toward a three-week-old support-turned-resistance, around 152.90. Following that, the June 1990 high of 155.80 will be in the spotlight.
On the contrary, a downside break of the seven-week-old horizontal support of 150.75-90 will direct the USDJPY sellers toward the 200 and 100 SMA levels, respectively near 150.00 and 149.75 at the latest. In a case where the Yen pair sellers keep the reins past 149.75, the March 18 swing high of 149.30 and the 149.00 round figure will act as the final defense of the buyers before directing the sellers toward the previous monthly high of near 146.50.
Overall, the mixed catalysts join the Easter Monday holiday in major markets and a light calendar to restrict the USDJPY pair’s moves. However, the quote remains on the bull’s radar.
