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Japanese Yen held as soft US data meets a weak Yen

  • USD/JPY is little changed in the low-159s on Friday, holding its ground after a volatile stretch.
  • US Consumer Sentiment fell sharply in August, missing forecasts and adding to a soft week of US data.
  • A weaker Yen is offsetting the softer Dollar, keeping the pair pinned near current levels.

USD/JPY is holding near 159.40 at the time of writing, with little change on the day. A weak United States (US) Consumer Sentiment reading nudged the Dollar lower, but the pair has stayed close to where it started.

The University of Michigan’s preliminary Consumer Sentiment Index dropped to 51 in August from 55.2, well below the 54.5 that markets expected. The Expectations component fell to 50.6. It is the latest soft US number in a week that also brought cooler inflation and a weak Retail Sales report.

Taken together, that run of data has taken some steam out of the US Dollar (USD), with the Dollar Index (DXY) lower on the day. On its own, a softer Dollar would usually pull USD/JPY down with it.

The boost from the record joint US–Japan intervention in late July and early August has faded, and with no follow-up from Tokyo, speculators have gone back to selling the Japanese Yen (JPY). That leaves USD/JPY caught between a soft Dollar and a soft Yen, with neither side able to take control.

Chart Analysis USD/JPY

Short-term technical analysis:

On the 4-hour chart, USD/JPY trades at 159.38, maintaining a neutral near-term tone as it holds above the 20-period simple moving average (SMA) at 159.33 but remains capped beneath the 100-period SMA at 160.20. The pair is hovering just under the nearby horizontal barrier at 159.39, while the Relative Strength Index (14) around 56 suggests mildly constructive momentum without reaching overbought conditions.

On the topside, immediate resistance is located at 159.39, followed by the higher horizontal level at 159.58, before the more significant 100-period SMA at 160.20 comes into view as a broader cap. On the downside, initial support is clustered around the 20-period SMA at 159.33, ahead of the horizontal floors at 159.20 and 159.10, which together form a shallow demand band protecting the recent consolidation area.

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Chinese Yuan: Activity data and PBOC stance guide FX – MUFG

MUFG’s Asia FX Weekly highlights that China’s July activity indicators, following weak Q2 GDP, will be central for the Chinese Yuan and regional FX. The authors stress ongoing weakness in fixed asset investment and property-sector challenges, and question whether domestic demand is stabilizing and whether PBOC will tolerate continued CNY strength. They also note PBOC has been guiding USD/CNY lower via its daily fixing.

China data and fixing steer CNY

“In China, attention will centre on July activity indicators, following a weak Q2 GDP print.”

“Fixed asset investment is likely to remain weak, underscoring ongoing challenges in the property sector.”

“The key question for FX markets is whether domestic demand shows signs of stabilization and whether PBOC is comfortable allowing continued strength in CNY.”

“Any weaker-than-expected Chinese activity data could weigh on regional

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EUR/USD Price – 100-Day SMA blocked bullish reversal

  • EUR/USD rebounds from daily lows, challenging 100-day SMA resistance.
  • Bullish RSI raises reversal risk after reclaiming 1.1500.
  • Break above 1.1629 exposes 1.1685 and 1.1700 next.

The EUR/USD pair registers gains of over 0.32% on Friday as traders face key resistance at the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 1.1567, as bulls eye the 1.1600 psychological figure. At the time of writing, the pair trades at 1.1564 after bouncing off daily lows of 1.1526.

EUR/USD Price Forecast: Technical Outlook

The EUR/USD market structure suggests that the downtrend remains intact. The successive lower highs and lower lows have been respected, but since July 30, when the pair reclaimed the 1.1500 area, the risk of a bullish reversal has increased.

Although the pair topped around 1.1550-60, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggests bullish momentum is building. That said, EUR/USD might turn bullish if traders clear key resistance levels.

Upwards, the 200-day SMA at 1.1629 is the next area of interest. Once surpassed, the next cycle high pending is the May 29 high at 1.1685. If those two levels are removed, EUR/USD could be headed toward 1.1700, putting the April 17 high at 1.1849 into play ahead of the 1.1900 area.

On the flip side, if the shared currency drops below 1.1500, a move to the 50-day SMA at 1.1465 is on the cards. The next demand zone would be 1.1400.

EUR/USD Price Chart – Daily

EUR/USD daily chart
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South Korean Won: Foreign inflows and exporters support KRW – Commerzbank

Commerzbank notes that the Kospi has rebounded 29.5% from its 30 July low, supported by strong tech earnings and improved sentiment toward semiconductor and memory chipmakers. They note USD/KRW has retreated nearly 8.9% from its July high as exporters’ repatriation and foreign portfolio inflows bolster the Korean Won. Despite a modest 0.3% rise to 1,421 on a stronger Dollar, KRW is the second-strongest Asian currency this year, up 1.5% versus USD and outperforming the regional ex-Japan average of -2.1%. Further volatility moderation in equities may offer near-term KRW support.

USD/KRW retreats from July peak

“The South Korean equity benchmark Kospi rose 3.6% yesterday, following a 3.7% rally on Wednesday. The index has now rebounded by 29.5% from its 30 July low. The recovery was driven by strong tech earnings, which boosted market sentiment toward semiconductor names and lifted South Korean chipmakers.”

“This combination of recovering semiconductor sentiment and easing Kospi volatility has enticed foreign investors to re-enter the market. Since 30 July, foreign investors have net bought USD1.9bn of South Korean equities. A further moderation in volatility could support additional portfolio inflows and provide near-term support for the KRW.”

“USD/KRW rose 0.3% to 1,421 yesterday, driven by a stronger USD. Nonetheless, the pair has fallen by nearly 8.9% from its July high of 1,559, as exporters’ repatriation activity and foreign portfolio inflows continue to support the KRW.”

“Year-to-date, KRW is up 1.5% vs the USD, well above the average for Asian currencies ex-Japan of -2.1%.”

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Chinese Yuan: Steady appreciation backed by PBoC stance – Societe Generale

Societe Generale analysts highlight CNY’s firm trend, with the currency advancing to 6.7424, its strongest level since February 2023, on Dollar weakness and lower US yields. The PBoC reiterates an accommodative stance and targeted support while avoiding explicit rate or RRR cut signals, as 10-year CGB yields fall below 1.70%.

Policy support underpins currency strength

“CNY maintains steady appreciation path: The CNY advanced to 6.7424 today, its strongest level since February 2023, supported by broad-based dollar weakness and lower US yields.”

“In its latest quarterly monetary policy implementation report, the PBoC reiterated its commitment to maintaining an appropriately accommodative policy stance and deploying targeted support measures when needed, while stopping short of explicitly signalling policy rate or RRR cuts.”

“Chinese bonds continue to demonstrate notable resilience, with the 10y CGB yield falling below 1.70% for the first time in a year after the PBoC’s first mid-month overnight reverse repo (liquidity injection).”

“Separately, the Ministry of Finance successfully sold 50y special sovereign bonds at an average yield of 2.2831%.”

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Mexican Peso refreshes multi-month highs, Banxico minutes eyed

  • USD/MXN rebounds from 16.97 as buyers defend 17.00.
  • Weak Retail Sales and sentiment deepen US Dollar pressure.
  • Banxico minutes and Mexico Retail Sales drive next catalysts.

USD/MXN refreshed 24-month lows below 17.00 on Friday, but it has recovered some ground, with buyers stepping in and reclaiming the 17.00 level. Data from the United States (US) weighed on the Greenback, as consumer sentiment and Retail Sales deteriorated. The pair trades at 17.02, after bouncing off daily lows of 16.97.

USD/MXN holds near two-year lows as traders price out Fed hikes

US data proved benign on the inflation front, with consumer and producer prices edging lower. The Nonfarm Payrolls reading on August 7 and jobless claims on Thursday paint a picture of ‘some’ softening, but give Federal Reserve officials no reason to say labor market risks are tilted to the upside.

On Friday, Retail Sales disappointed investors, contracting 0.6% MoM, below forecasts of a 0.1% expansion, and June’s 0.2%. The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment preliminary reading in August showed some deterioration in sentiment among American households, as the Index dipped from 55.2 to 51, while inflation expectations remained little changed.

The backdrop prompted an aggressive pricing out for a Fed rate hike in 2026. For the September meeting, the odds are 32% for a hike and 68% for keeping interest rates steady.

In Mexico, Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard stated that Mexico is asking the US to eliminate or reduce tariffs on the automobile industry. He argued that vehicles made in Japan, South Korea, Germany, or Morocco pay a 15% tariff, while those in Mexico face a 25% tariff.

“So, give me a discount, because I buy more parts of the United States from you than the other countries, I just mentioned”, Ebrard said.

Next week, Mexico’s economic schedule will be busy, with investors eyeing the release of the Bank of Mexico’s (Banxico) last meeting minutes and Retail Sales data. In the US, the docket will feature housing data, the ADP Employment Change 4-week average, jobless claims and Flash PMIs.

USD/MXN Price Forecast: Technical outlook

Chart Analysis USD/MXN
USD/MXN daily chart

In the daily chart, USD/MXN trades near 17.0294, extending its slide beneath the clustered simple moving averages in the Moving Average Triple around 17.3775. Price action remains capped by the more recent descending resistance trend line, which comes in near 17.4197, while the Relative Strength Index (14) sits around 27 and drifts into oversold territory, hinting that bearish pressure is stretched but still dominant as long as the pair holds below these overhead barriers.

On the downside, the next notable structural floor aligns with the earlier downtrend break level around 15.6176, which acts as a distant but important support reference should the decline deepen. On the topside, a recovery would first need to reclaim the Moving Average Triple resistance near 17.3775, followed by a clearer break above the descending resistance trend line at 17.4197 to ease the bearish bias and open the way for a more sustained corrective rebound.

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AUD/USD Price – Bulls eyed 0.7100 after US Retail Sales miss

  • AUD/USD gains as weak Retail Sales pressure the Greenback.
  • Bullish RSI supports upside, but 0.7094 caps momentum.
  • Break above 0.7100 exposes 0.7190 and 0.7200 next.

The Australian Dollar advanced on Friday after US Retail Sales disappointed investors, increasing speculation that the Federal Reserve might not raise rates, as the economy showed tentative signs of weakness. The AUD/USD trades at 0.7083, up 0.34%

AUD/USD Price Forecast: Technical outlook

The daily chart shows the AUD/USD is bullish, but buyers remain unable to decisively crack the January 29 high of 0.7094, which could open the door for further upside. Momentum shifted bullish since mid-July, as depicted in the Relative Strength Index (RSI).

From a market structure perspective, the pair has not shifted bullish until buyers regain the June 1 peak at 0.7190. Hence, the first AUD/USD resistance is 0.7100, followed by the latter. On further strength, the next stop is 0.7200.

On the downside, the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 0.7058 is the first support. Once cleared, the 50-day SMA emerges as the next demand zone at 0.6991, followed by the 200-day SMA at 0.6937.

AUD/USD Price Chart – Daily

AUD/USD daily chart
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USD/CAD Price Forecast: Posts fresh two-month low below 1.3900

  • USD/CAD trades lower as the Canadian Dollar gains.
  • The US and Canada are close to reaching a deal before the tariff deadline.
  • Investors expect the Fed to leave policy rates unchanged again in September.

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) outperforms a majority of its currency peers on Friday, with the USD/CAD pair trading 0.32% lower at around 1.3888. The Canadian currency gains on hopes of a United States (US)-Canada interim deal.

A Canadian government source directly familiar with trade negotiations ‌with the United States said on Thursday that talks were progressing well and Washington also wanted an agreement before a new US tariff deadline on August 19, Reuters reports.

Meanwhile, weakness in the US Dollar due to receding fears of a Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate hike in the September meeting has also weighed on the Loonie pair. At press time, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, trades 0.23% lower to near 99.70.

Fed patience holds as US inflation trend improves but remains above target

Analysts at Wells Fargo observe that “inflation remains elevated, but the trend is improving,” noting that “while inflation remains above target, the recent upturn appears narrow rather than broad-based.” Against this backdrop, they judge that “the Fed remains stuck on hold,” with policymakers reluctant to shift policy until they see clearer evidence that price pressures are durably contained.

Commerzbank’s Bernd Weidensteiner similarly highlights that the inflation data for July “indicated only moderate inflationary pressure; consumer prices excluding food and energy rose by 0.2% from the previous month, while the year-over-year rate fell slightly to 2.5%.” He adds that, although this outcome was broadly in line with expectations, “these figures, combined with the unexpectedly weak jobs data, eased the pressure on the Fed to raise its key interest rates anytime soon.” Together, the banks’ commentary underscores a picture of gradually improving but still above-target US inflation, reinforcing the case for the Fed to remain on hold for now.

USD/CAD Technical Analysis

USD/CAD trades lower at around 1.3888, keeping a bearish near‑term tone as spot holds under the 100‑day simple moving average (SMA) at 1.3920 and the 50.0% Fibonacci retracement at 1.3902. The pair has retreated from recent highs toward the middle of the prior upswing range, while the Relative Strength Index (14) at 29.95 slips into oversold territory, hinting that downside momentum is stretched but not yet reversed.

On the topside, immediate resistance is located at the 50.0% retracement of the latest move at 1.3902, followed by the 100‑day SMA at 1.3920; a sustained break above this band would ease the current bearish pressure and expose the 38.2% level at 1.3984 and then the 23.6% retracement at 1.4085. On the downside, initial support is seen at the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement at 1.3819, ahead of the 78.6% level at 1.3702, while deeper losses would bring the structural swing low region near the 100.0% retracement at 1.3553 into focus.