USDJPY drops and pops from 200-SMA on BoJ rate hike, Fed eyed

Jul 31

USDJPY defends the previous day’s retreat from a three-week-old falling resistance line even after the pair’s volatile move post-Bank of Japan (BoJ) announcements. It’s worth noting that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) raised its benchmark rate to 0.25%, from 0.10%, on Wednesday and drowned the Yen pair toward the 200-SMA during the first few minutes. However, the Japanese central bank’s decision to taper bond purchases and cautious tone of economic assessment triggered the quote’s rebound afterward. The US Dollar’s weakness ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) monetary policy meeting also allowed the pair to drop to a multi-day low before bouncing off the key moving average of 151.60. It’s worth noting, however, that the nearly oversold RSI (14) line signals limited downside room for the pair past the 200-SMA support of 151.60. The same highlights the aforementioned short-term resistance line surrounding 153.60 as an immediate hurdle to watch for the buyer’s entry. Following that, the pair’s gradual run-up toward the 100-SMA and previous support line stretched from December 2023, around 155.65 and 158.80 respectively.

Meanwhile, the USDJPY pair’s daily closing beneath the 200-SMA support of 151.60 will need validation from 5.5-month-old horizontal support near 151.00-150.90 to keep the sellers on board. Following that, the quote’s weakness toward the 61.8% Fibonacci ratio of late 2023 to July 2024 upside, surrounding 148.50, and then to March’s low of near 146.45 can’t be ruled out. It should be observed that the 150.00 psychological magnet will act as an extra filter toward the south.

Overall, USDJPY fails to cheer the BoJ’s rate hike and bounces off the key SMA amid oversold RSI conditions. The same suggests the quote’s further recovery if buyers manage to cross the immediate resistance line and gain support from the hawkish FOMC announcements.