Currency Hedger No Comments

USD/INR boards fresh rally as oil prices remain elevated

  • The Indian Rupee falls further against the US Dollar as higher oil prices boost demand for the Greenback by Indian importers.
  • Fresh concerns over India Inc.’s earnings projections have dampened the FIIs interest in the Indian stock market.
  • This week, investors will pay close attention to the Fed’s monetary policy.

The Indian Rupee (INR) weakens further after a brief pause against the US Dollar (USD) in the opening session on Tuesday. The USD/INR pair jumps to near 94.50 as elevated oil prices continue to hurt the Indian Rupee.

As of writing, the WTI Oil price trades 0.6% higher to near $95.60 and is close to its two-week high of $97 posted on Thursday.

Currencies from economies, such as India, which rely heavily on oil imports to meet their energy needs, tend to underperform in a high oil price environment.

Oil prices have remained higher due to uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage to almost 20% of global energy supply.

According to a Reuters report, oil-linked flows and hedging-related US Dollar demand are key headwinds for the Indian Rupee

Hormuz closure keeps oil prices elevated

The uncertainty regarding the reopening of the Hormuz remains escalated, as Washington has not shown any signs of interest in proposals delivered by Iran to end the war. On late Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that US President Trump discussed Iran’s proposal with the national security team, which calls for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a permanent ceasefire. Leavitt didn’t reveal any information regarding the odds of whether it will be taken forward by Washington.

“I wouldn’t say they’re considering it. I would just say that there was a discussion this morning that I don’t want to get ahead of, and you’ll hear directly from the president, I’m sure, on this topic,” Leavitt said.

On Monday, US President Trump received another proposal from Iran, which he called “better” than the one, which it was expected to present in canceled peace talks in Islamabad over the weekend, but “still not good enough”.

FIIs extends selling pressure in Indian stock market

In the last six trading days, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) have remained net sellers and have offloaded their stake worth Rs. 18,291.34 crore after a little buying in the April 15-17 period. FIIs appear to be dumping their stake in the Indian equity market due to elevated oil prices, which have raised concerns over India Inc.’s earnings projections.

Fed seems to maintain status quo

This week, the major trigger for the US Dollar will be the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy announcement on Wednesday, in which it is expected to leave interest rates unchanged in the range of 3.50%-3.75% for the third time in a row. Investors will pay close attention to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments regarding the monetary policy outlook in the wake of the energy price shock amid the Hormuz closure.

Technical Analysis: USD/INR approaches all-time high of 95.20

USD/INR trades higher at around 94.50, maintaining a bullish near-term bias, as it holds above the 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 93.53. The positioning above this rising EMA suggests the broader uptrend remains intact, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 61 indicates firm but not overstretched upside momentum.

On the downside, the 20-day EMA at 93.53 stands as the first layer of dynamic support, and a daily close below this level would hint at a deeper corrective phase within the broader trend. Looking up, the pair aims to revisit the all-time high around 95.20. The spot would enter uncharted territory if it manages a decisive break above 95.20.

Currency Hedger No Comments

Japanese Yen pares hawkish BoJ-inspired gains; USD/JPY rebounds from sub-159.00 levels

  • USD/JPY drops to a one-week low as the BoJ’s hawkish pause provides a goodish lift to the JPY.
  • Economic concerns stemming from the Middle East conflict cap the JPY and limit losses for the pair.
  • The US-Iran peace talks uncertainty benefit the safe-haven USD and further supports spot prices.

The USD/JPY pair attracts some intraday selling after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) announced its policy decision and touches a one-week low earlier this Tuesday. Spot prices, however, manage to recover a major part of the losses and trade around the 159.30 area, down less than 0.10% for the day during the early European session.

As was widely anticipated, the Japanese central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.75% at the conclusion of a two-day meeting. However, the 6-3 vote split, with three BoJ board members calling for a rate hike, along with an upward revision of inflation forecasts, keeps a June or July rate hike firmly on the table. This comes on top of a fresh intervention warning from Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, saying that authorities were ready to take decisive action against speculative activity, lifting the Japanese Yen (JPY) and weighing on the USD/JPY pair.

In the post-meeting press conference, BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda noted that real interest rates are at significantly low levels and acknowledged that the risk of inflation is significantly deviating upwards and exerting a negative impact on the economy. This, in turn, validates the hawkish outlook and remains supportive of the bid tone surrounding the JPY. However, economic concerns stemming from continued disruptions to energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz cap JPY gains. This, along with a goodish pickup in the US Dollar (USD) demand, lends support to the USD/JPY pair.

Hopes for diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war receded after US President Donald Trump canceled his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner’s planned visit to Pakistan. Furthermore, Trump reportedly was dissatisfied with Iran’s new proposal on resolving the war, which would set ‌aside discussion of Iran’s nuclear program. This, along with a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, keeps geopolitical risks in play, which, in turn, is seen benefiting the USD’s reserve currency status, which, in turn, assists the USD/JPY pair to rebound around 35-40 pips from sub-159.00 levels.

Currency Hedger No Comments

EUR/JPY – Price Moves below 186.50, nine-day confluence

  • EUR/JPY may rebound toward the nine-day EMA at 186.66 near the ascending channel’s lower boundary.
  • The 14-day Relative Strength Index near 53 signals positive, not overstretched momentum.
  • The primary support lies at the 50-day EMA at 185.00.

EUR/JPY depreciates after two days of gains, trading around 186.40 during European hours on Tuesday. The technical analysis of the daily chart indicates the currency cross slips below the ascending channel, signaling a possible bearish reversal.

However, the EUR/JPY cross holds above the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), keeping the near-term bias mildly bullish even as it consolidates just under the nine-day EMA, which acts as immediate resistance.

The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers near 53, suggesting positive but not overstretched momentum, and hints that dips toward the underlying averages could continue to attract buyers while the broader uptrend structure remains intact.

The rebound toward the nine-day EMA at 186.66 around the lower boundary of the ascending channel would revive the bullish bias and lead the EUR/JPY cross to test the all-time high of 187.95, which was recorded on April 17. Further advances above this level would support the currency cross to explore the region around the upper boundary of the channel, around 189.80.

On the downside, the EUR/JPY cross may fall toward initial support, which lies at the 50-day EMA at 185.00.

EUR/JPY: Daily Chart

Euro Price Today

The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies today. Euro was the weakest against the Japanese Yen.

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD0.19%0.17%0.00%0.05%0.19%0.32%0.40%
EUR-0.19%-0.04%-0.22%-0.17%-0.02%0.07%0.20%
GBP-0.17%0.04%-0.17%-0.12%0.03%0.13%0.23%
JPY0.00%0.22%0.17%0.06%0.20%0.30%0.40%
CAD-0.05%0.17%0.12%-0.06%0.14%0.24%0.35%
AUD-0.19%0.02%-0.03%-0.20%-0.14%0.11%0.24%
NZD-0.32%-0.07%-0.13%-0.30%-0.24%-0.11%0.09%
CHF-0.40%-0.20%-0.23%-0.40%-0.35%-0.24%-0.09%

The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote).

Currency Hedger No Comments

GBP/JPY slides to 215.25 after BoJ’s hawkish pause; downside seems limited

  • GBP/JPY retreats further from a multi-year top as the BoJ’s hawkish outlook boosts the JPY.
  • A 6-3 vote split and upward revision of inflation forecasts keep BoJ rate hike bets on the table.
  • Bets for two BoE rate hikes by late 2026 should support the GBP and limit losses for spot prices.

The GBP/JPY cross attracts some sellers during the Asian session on Tuesday and, for now, seems to have snapped a two-day winning streak to its highest level since January 2008, just above the 216.00 mark touched the previous day. Spot prices touch a fresh daily low, around the 215.25 region, amid a goodish pickup in demand for the Japanese Yen (JPY) following the Bank of Japan (BoJ) policy decision.

As was widely expected, the Japanese central bank left the short-term interest rate unadjusted at 0.75%. The JPY, however, gains strong positive traction in reaction to a hawkish vote split, with three board members voting for a rate hike. Furthermore, the BoJ delivered a significantly more hawkish inflation outlook amid elevated Crude Oil prices and acknowledged that the Iran war is clouding the economic growth trajectory.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said that Crude Oil volatility is feeding into FX markets and affecting the broader economy. Katayama also warned that authorities were ready to take decisive action against speculative activity, fueling intervention fears and underpinning the JPY. Moreover, a firmer US Dollar (USD) weighs on the British Pound (GBP), which contributes to the GBP/JPY pair’s intraday slide.

Any meaningful GBP downfall, however, seems elusive in the wake of rising bets for two Bank of England (BoE) interest rate hikes by late 2026. Furthermore, investors remain worried that Japan’s economy will come under substantial strains as the risk to energy supplies remains due to continued disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This, in turn, could support the GBP/JPY cross and help limit losses.

Currency Hedger No Comments

EUR/JPY slips below 186.50 following BoJ policy decision

  • EUR/JPY holds losses after the Bank of Japan policy decision.
  • The BoJ kept its short-term rate at 0.75% on Tuesday, as expected.
  • ECB is expected to keep its deposit rate at 2.0% on Thursday.

EUR/JPY remains subdued after two days of gains, trading around 186.40 during the Asian hours on Tuesday. The currency cross holds losses following the release of the Bank of Japan (BoJ) policy decision.

The Bank of Japan left its short-term rate unchanged at 0.75% after its two-day policy meeting Tuesday, in line with expectations. The decision passed 6–3, with board members Nakagawa, Takata, and Naoki Tamura dissenting and proposing a hike to 1.0%.

BoJ’s Nakagawa said while situation in middle east remained unclear, given economic developments, risks to prices were skewed to the upside under accommodative financial conditions. While, Takata said price stability target had been more or less achieved and that risks to prices in japan were already skewed to the upside due to the second-round effects of price rises stemming from overseas developments.

Economists expect the European Central Bank (ECB) to leave policy unchanged at Thursday’s meeting, maintaining its benchmark deposit rate at 2.0%, where it has remained since June last year.

ECB policymakers are likely to adopt a wait-and-see approach amid elevated economic uncertainty driven by the Middle East conflict. ECB official Martins Kazaks said last week that “we still have the large luxury of collecting data and forming our view.”

Currency Hedger No Comments

GBP/JPY slips as UK political risk pressures Pound, Yen weakness limits losses

  • GBP/JPY trims intraday gains as the British Pound softens on UK political uncertainty.
  • Markets await the BoE and BoJ monetary policy decisions due this week.
  • Technicals remain bullish above key SMAs, though momentum shows signs of cooling.

GBP/JPY gives back part of its earlier gains on Monday as the British Pound (GBP) comes under pressure following reports that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will face a parliamentary vote on a possible probe into whether he misled lawmakers over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.

However, the downside remains limited as the Japanese Yen (JPY) continues to underperform most of its major peers, with elevated Oil prices weighing on the currency given Japan’s heavy reliance on imported energy.

At the time of writing, GBP/JPY is trading around 215.67, easing slightly after hitting 216.06, its highest level since January 2008, while the wide interest rate differential between the Bank of England (BoE) and the Bank of Japan (BoJ) keeps the broader bias tilted to the upside.

Attention now turns to upcoming monetary policy meetings due this week, with both the BoE and the BoJ widely expected to hold rates steady as policymakers assess the impact of rising Oil prices on inflation and economic growth.

The BoJ’s slow pace of policy normalization is likely to keep the Yen on the defensive, although lingering intervention risks could limit further weakness amid repeated warnings from Japanese officials, with USD/JPY hovering close to the 160 mark.

In the daily chart, GBP/JPY keeps a bullish near-term bias as it holds well above both the 21-day simple moving average (SMA) at 213.60 and the 50-day SMA at 212.24. The positive but moderating Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 65 and a still-positive Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram hint that upside momentum persists, though the pace of the advance is losing some steam as the cross consolidates near recent highs.

On the downside, initial support is seen at the 21-day SMA at 213.60, with a deeper pullback likely finding additional demand near the 50-day SMA at 212.24. As long as GBP/JPY holds above these moving averages, the broader bullish structure remains intact, and any dips toward this support band may be treated as corrective rather than signaling a sustained reversal.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)

Japanese Yen Price Today

The table below shows the percentage change of Japanese Yen (JPY) against listed major currencies today. Japanese Yen was the strongest against the Swiss Franc.

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD-0.14%-0.08%-0.06%-0.43%-0.49%-0.51%-0.03%
EUR0.14%0.08%0.09%-0.28%-0.32%-0.35%0.13%
GBP0.08%-0.08%0.00%-0.38%-0.43%-0.45%0.05%
JPY0.06%-0.09%0.00%-0.35%-0.42%-0.46%0.09%
CAD0.43%0.28%0.38%0.35%-0.06%-0.10%0.41%
AUD0.49%0.32%0.43%0.42%0.06%-0.01%0.47%
NZD0.51%0.35%0.45%0.46%0.10%0.01%0.49%
CHF0.03%-0.13%-0.05%-0.09%-0.41%-0.47%-0.49%

The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Japanese Yen from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent JPY (base)/USD (quote).

Currency Hedger No Comments

USD/JPY: Convergence delayed but capped by intervention – HSBC

HSBC strategists highlight that the Japanese Yen (JPY) has been the weakest G10 currency month-to-date, with USD/JPY trading in an unusually narrow range despite Japan’s large net energy import status and Gulf exposure. They argue a cautious Bank of Japan (BoJ) and domestic fiscal issues may delay USD/JPY’s move lower, although intervention risks and portfolio inflows should cap upside. HSBC’s base case still sees USD/JPY declining by year-end.

BoJ caution and fiscal strains vs caps

“Bearish sentiment towards JPY is consistent with Japan’s macro exposure. Japan is the largest net energy importer among advanced economies (scaled by GDP) and has deep economic ties with the Gulf region.”

“Despite these headwinds, USD-JPY has traded in an unusually narrow range recently. A cautious Bank of Japan (BoJ) and domestic fiscal challenges may delay USD/JPY’s convergence lower towards levels implied by rate differentials.”

“Key fiscal watchpoints include the possibility that funding for fuel subsidies may run out in mid/late May and that a supplementary budget may be proposed.”

“Offsetting factors include net portfolio inflows (foreign buying of Japanese equities and bonds month-to-date in April, alongside Japanese selling of foreign bonds) and firm verbal intervention from the Ministry of Finance, may help cap USD/JPY.”

“Our base case remains for USD/JPY to decline by year-end. Near-term upside risks include a more dovish BoJ, a more hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed), escalation in the Middle East conflict and renewed oil-price highs, and further fiscal slippage in Japan.”

Currency Hedger No Comments

EUR/JPY Tests nine-day EMA support near 186.50

  • EUR/JPY may explore the region around the all-time high of 187.95.
  • The 14-day Relative Strength Index near 60 signals positive momentum without extreme conditions.
  • The immediate support lies at the nine-day EMA of 186.75.

EUR/JPY inches lower after registering modest gains in the previous day, trading around 186.70 during Asian hours on Monday. The technical analysis of the daily chart indicates the currency cross is positioned within the ascending channel, signaling an ongoing bullish bias.

The EUR/JPY cross holds a bullish near-term bias as it consolidates above both the nine-day and 50-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), respectively. The currency cross is hovering just under the recent highs, with the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 60, suggesting positive but not extreme momentum that keeps the door open for another push higher while dips remain contained.

The EUR/JPY cross may advance toward the all-time high of 187.95, which was recorded on April 17. Further advances above this level would support the currency cross to explore the region around the upper boundary of the channel, around 189.70.

On the downside, the immediate support lies at the nine-day EMA of 186.75, aligned with the lower boundary of the ascending channel around 186.60. A sustained break below the channel would put downward pressure on the EUR/JPY cross to test the 50-day EMA at 184.94.

EUR/JPY: Daily Chart

Euro Price Today

The table below shows the percentage change of Euro (EUR) against listed major currencies today. Euro was the strongest against the US Dollar.

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD-0.06%-0.07%-0.10%-0.03%-0.30%-0.17%-0.02%
EUR0.06%0.02%-0.04%0.03%-0.22%-0.09%0.04%
GBP0.07%-0.02%-0.04%0.02%-0.22%-0.09%0.04%
JPY0.10%0.04%0.04%0.08%-0.20%-0.09%0.11%
CAD0.03%-0.03%-0.02%-0.08%-0.27%-0.16%0.01%
AUD0.30%0.22%0.22%0.20%0.27%0.14%0.28%
NZD0.17%0.09%0.09%0.09%0.16%-0.14%0.15%
CHF0.02%-0.04%-0.04%-0.11%-0.01%-0.28%-0.15%

The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/USD (quote).