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Forecasting The Upcoming Week – NFP, US-Iran peace talks in focus

The US Dollar Index (DXY) fell to a two-week low near the 98.00 price zone on Friday, extending the losses seen the previous day and ending a week in which the world’s most important central banks confirmed a hawkish shift due to rising inflation pressures. Next week, traders’ attention will remain focused on any development regarding potential negotiations between the US and Iran, as well as a streak of US employment data that will culminate with Nonfarm Payrolls.

The economic calendarย was light on Friday as many markets around the world were closed due to the Labor Day holiday. Still, in the US, the ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) came in at 52.7, below the expected 53.

In the Middle East, theย Islamicย Republic of Iran submitted its latest negotiating proposal to Pakistan, acting as the mediator in talks with the United States. It was not immediately clear what was included in the new proposal, but Trump said that he can’t agree to the current demands from Tehran: “Iran wants to make a deal, but I’m not satisfied,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, discussed the latest initiatives of the Islamic Republic to end the war during phone calls with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Iraq, and Azerbaijan, according to a ministry statement.

US Dollar Price Today

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

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD-0.20%-0.12%0.09%-0.03%-0.25%-0.15%-0.27%
EUR0.20%0.07%0.28%0.15%-0.04%0.03%-0.07%
GBP0.12%-0.07%0.21%0.09%-0.12%-0.04%-0.12%
JPY-0.09%-0.28%-0.21%-0.12%-0.34%-0.28%-0.36%
CAD0.03%-0.15%-0.09%0.12%-0.23%-0.14%-0.22%
AUD0.25%0.04%0.12%0.34%0.23%0.08%0.00%
NZD0.15%-0.03%0.04%0.28%0.14%-0.08%-0.09%
CHF0.27%0.07%0.12%0.36%0.22%0.00%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 US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote).

EUR/USDย rose to an almost two-week high near the 1.1780 level. The pair keeps the rally going for a second straight day after the European Central Bank (ECB) leftย ratesย unchanged in Thursday’s meeting. US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that tariffs on the European Union’s cars and trucks would rise to 25% from the current 15%, reviving trade war fears.

GBP/USDย rose to the 1.3630 price region. The rise comes as investors move away from the US Dollar (USD) amid an improved risk mood after Iran offered to reach out to the US through Pakistan, aiming to finalize the peace deal once and for all.

USD/JPY steadied after dropping from 160.00 to 156.60 following the Japanese government’s intervention on Thursday. Data released on Friday showed the Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April ex Fresh Food at 1.9%, down from last month’s 2.3%. The headline measure was released at 1.5%, up slightly from last monthโ€™s 1.4%.

AUD/USDย ticked up towards the 0.7220 price zone as traders adopt a wait-and-see approach ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) monetary policy decision scheduled for next Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the Producer Price Index (PPI) was at 3%, below last monthโ€™s 3.5%.

Goldย trades broadly unchanged at the $4,630 level as investors focus on riskier positions over the weekโ€™s end.

WTI West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell near the $98.50 per barrel amid Iranโ€™s Pakistan-driven US peace deal.

Anticipating economic perspectives: Voices on the horizon

Monday, May 4:

  • Eurogroup Meeting
  • ECB Cipollone speaks
  • Fed Williams speaks
  • ECB Nagel speaks

Tuesday, May 5:

  • RBA Press Conference
  • ECB De Guindos speaks
  • ECB President Lagarde speaks
  • Fed Bowman speaks
  • ECB Lane speaks
  • Fed Barr speaks

Wednesday, May 6:

  • ECB Lane speaks
  • ECB Cipollone speaks
  • Fed Musalem speaks
  • Fed Goolsbee speaks
  • Fed Hammack speaks

Thursday, May 7:

  • ECB De Guindos speaks
  • ECB Elderson speaks
  • ECB Lane speaks
  • ECB Schnabel speaks
  • Fed Hammack speaks
  • Fed Williams speaks

Friday, May 8:

  • ECB President Lagarde speaks
  • ECB De Guindos speaks
  • Fed Cook speaks
  • ECB Cipollone speaks
  • ECB Schnabel speaks
  • ECB Nagel speaks
  • Fed Bowman speaks
  • Fed Goolsbee speaks
  • Fed Waller speaks

Central banksโ€™ meetings and upcoming data releases to shape markets

Monday, May 4:

  • Australian TD-MI Inflation Gauge April YoY
  • Australian Building Permits March MoM
  • Germany, France, Italy, Eurozone HCOB Manufacturing PMI April
  • Eurozone Sentix Investor Confidence May
  • US Factory Orders March MoM
  • Australian S&P PMIs April

Tuesday, May 5:

  • Australian RBA Interest Rate Decision
  • Australian RBA Monetary Policy Statement
  • Australian RBA Rate Statement
  • Chinese Consumer Price Index April MoM YoY
  • US S&P PMIS April
  • US ISM Services PMIS
  • US JOLTS Job Openings March
  • US New Home Sales February and March MoM
  • New Zealand Employment data

Wednesday, May 6:

  • Chinese Caixin Services PMI April
  • Germany, France, Italy, Eurozone HCOB Services PMI April
  • Eurozone Producer Price Index March MoM YoY
  • US ADP Employment Change April
  • Canadian Ivey PMI April
  • Japanese Labor Cash Earnings March YoY
  • Japanese BoJ Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes

Thursday, May 7:

  • Australian Trade Balance
  • Germany Factory Orders March MoM YoY
  • Eurozone Retail Sales March MoM YoY
  • US Challenger Job Cuts April
  • US Initial Jobless Claims
  • US Nonfarm Productivity Q1 Prel
  • US Unit Labor Costs Q1 Prel

Friday, May 8:

  • Germany Industrial Production March MoM YoY
  • Eurozone Trade Balance March
  • Canadian Employment data
  • US NFP report
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EUR/USD trims gains as fresh Trump tariff threats, Iran woes lift USD

  • Trump threatens to raise EU auto tariffs to 25% from 15%, weighing on the EUR/USD pair.
  • Trump says he isn’t happy about the latest proposal sent by Tehran, adding uncertainty and fueling safe-haven demand for the USD.
  • USD rebounds from two-week lows amid intensifying geopolitical risks.

The EUR/USD pairย is trading near the 1.1730 level on Friday’s late American session, trimming almost all its intraday gains, after United States (US) President Donald Trump threatened to raise the tariff rate on European Union (EU) cars and trucks from 15% to 25% and said he isn’t happy with the latest proposal sent by Iran to end the war.

Iran passed a peace talks offer through Pakistan to try and strike a deal with the US, though the details and demands from Tehran remain unknown. US President Trump claimed that โ€œwe made strides in talks with Iran, but I’m not sure we’re going to get to a deal,โ€ and added that he is not satisfied with the current proposal because Iran is asking for things “he is not comfortable agreeing with”.

When asked about potential missile strikes on Iran, US President Trump said: โ€œWhy would I tell you that?โ€, adding to the uncertainty. The heightened uncertainty over the fate of the latest proposal has supported the US Dollar (USD) as aย safe haven, whichhas recovered from a two-week low.

Chart Analysis EUR/USD

Short-term technical analysis:

On the four-hour chart, EUR/USD trades at 1.1730, hovering between nearby moving averages and maintaining a broadly neutral bias. The pair holds above the 20-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 1.1713, which lends modest downside support, but it remains capped by the 100-period SMA at 1.1736 and the horizontal barrier at 1.1744. The Relative Strength Index around 53 hints at mildly positive momentum, yet the proximity of overhead levels suggests limited upside unless buyers can force a sustained break higher.

On the topside, immediate resistance is located at the 100-period SMA at 1.1736, followed by the horizontal hurdle at 1.1744. A clearance of these levels would open the way toward 1.1757 and then 1.1785. On the downside, initial support is seen at the nearby horizontal floor at 1.1729, with the 20-period SMA at 1.1713 reinforcing the underlying demand area. A break below this latter level would expose a deeper corrective phase in the short term.

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USD/CAD steadies as weekly slide extends on Loonie strength

  • Iran ceasefire talks stalled over the weekend, with the US blockade and the Strait of Hormuz closure both in place.
  • US ISM Manufacturing PMI held at 52.7 in April, missing the 53.0 consensus, while the Prices Paid index surged to 84.6.
  • Canada’s S&P Global Manufacturing PMI jumped to 53.3 in April from 50.0 in March, returning the sector to expansion.

USD/CAD edged higher by less than 0.1% on Friday, recovering from an early-session low near 1.3560 to trade around 1.3590. The pair has shed roughly 0.6% on the week after rolling over from the 1.3700 area mid-week, and momentum has appeared sluggish close to 1.3580 as a cluster of small-bodied candles points to indecision.

The US-Iran conflict and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz remain the dominant drivers, keeping crude oil prices elevated and offering tailwinds to the commodity-linked Canadian Dollar. Ceasefire talks stalled over the weekend with both sides hardening their positions, and the US naval blockade of Iranian ports stays in place despite intermittent administration claims of progress that markets have largely discounted.

The US ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) held at 52.7 in April, narrowly missing the 53.0 consensus, while the Employment Index slumped to 46.4 and the Prices Paid component surged to 84.6, the highest reading in over four years. Canada’s S&P Globalย Manufacturing PMIย jumped to 53.3 from 50.0 in March, returning the sector to expansion. Markets now look ahead to next Friday’s heavy calendar, headlined by USย Non-Farm Payrollsย (NFP), with consensus pointing to 73K versus 178K previously, and Canadian employment data with the unemployment rate seen unchanged at 6.7%.


USD/CAD 5-minute chart

Chart Analysis USD/CAD

Technical Analysis

In the five-minute chart, USD/CAD trades at 1.3587, hovering just above the daily open at 1.3580, which now acts as immediate intraday support. The pair has lost upside momentum after earlier gains, while the downward sloping resistance trend line drawn from 1.3680 continues to cap the broader recovery potential. The latest Stochastic RSI reading has retreated toward lower levels, hinting at fading bullish pressure and keeping the near-term tone broadly neutral while price oscillates around the opening level.

On the downside, a clear break back below the 1.3580 daily open would expose softer intraday levels and suggest that sellers are regaining control in the very short term. On the topside, the next meaningful barrier is the descending resistance line coming from 1.3680, and only a sustained move toward that region and a subsequent break higher would start to undermine the broader corrective bias and open the way for a more convincing upside extension.

In the one-hour chart,ย USD/CADย trades at 1.3589, holding a mildly bearish near-term tone as it remains capped by a downward-sloping trend-line resistance coming in around 1.3680. The lack of nearby moving averages in the dataset keeps the focus on this structural barrier, while the Stochastic RSI has pushed into elevated territory above 70 recently, hinting that upside attempts could face exhaustion below the mentioned trend line.

On the topside, the immediate obstacle is the descending trend-line resistance at 1.3680, and a sustained break above this level would be needed to ease the current bearish pressure and open the way to a stronger recovery. With no clearly defined intraday supports in the provided data, any pullback from current levels would likely see traders looking to prior session lows and intraday swing points below 1.3589 for initial demand, while an inability to challenge 1.3680 would keep the pair vulnerable to further downside probing.

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AUD/USD Price Forecast: Remains bullish despite hovering around 0.7200

  • AUD/USD trades near range highs within 0.7100โ€“0.7200 consolidation band.
  • RSI above 50 supports bullish momentum and potential breakout scenario.
  • Break above 0.7250 targets 0.7282 and 0.7300 resistance levels.

AUD/USDย holds to minimal gains of 0.10% late in the North American session, yet poised to finish the week up 0.84%. At the time of writing, the pair trades above 0.7200 as the โ€˜bullish engulfingโ€™ chart pattern caps the Aussie on the downside.

AUD/USD Price Forecast: Technical outlook

From a technical perspective, the AUD/USD trades near the top of a 100-pip consolidation range between 0.7100 and 0.7200, with traders awaiting fresh catalysts. Momentum is bullish as depicted by the Relative Strength Index (RSI) sitting above its neutral level.

On the upside, the first resistance for AUD/USD is the psychological 0.7250 level. If cleared, the next stop would be the June 3, 2022, high of 0.7282 ahead of the 0.7300 area. The next area of interest would be on April 5, 2022, at 0.7661

Conversely, if AUD/USD ends the day below 0.7200, it could open the door for testing the 20-day SMA at 0.7121. Below this level is 0.7100 โ”€the bottom of the 100-pip rangeโ”€, followed by the 50-day SMA at 0.7059

AUD/USD Price Chart โ€“ Daily

AUD/USD daily chart
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GBP/JPY Price Forecast: Buyers defend 100-day SMA as momentum weakens

  • GBP/JPY rebounds modestly after earlier sell-off likely triggered by suspected intervention by Japanese authorities.
  • Technically, the cross holds a bullish bias above key moving averages, though weakening momentum signals fading upside strength.
  • The 100-day SMA offers immediate support, while 213.50 acts as the first upside hurdle.

GBP/JPY stages a modest rebound on Friday after coming under selling pressure earlier in the day amid suspected intervention by Tokyo for a second straight day to curb excessive weakness in the Japanese Yen (JPY). At the time of writing, the cross is trading around 213.42, recovering from an intraday low of 211.81 and poised to end the week in negative territory for the first time in four weeks.

However, there has been no official confirmation of intervention by Japanese authorities so far, though officials issued a โ€œfinalโ€ warning on Thursday after USD/JPY briefly moved past the 160 level, a threshold that has previously triggered action. This move spilled across Yen crosses, with GBP/JPY posting a sharp pullback from a multi-year high near 216.60 to around 210.45 the previous day.

Although underlying fundamentals, including wide interest rate differentials between the Bank of Japan (BoJ) and other major central banks, continue to weigh on the Yen, the latest leg lower suggests near-term downside pressure on the cross as momentum indicators turn negative.

Technical Analysis:

In the daily chart, GBP/JPY holds a constructive bias while consolidating above its key trend filters. The 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) and the 200-day SMA sit comfortably below the spot, suggesting underlying demand despite the recent pullback.

However, momentum has cooled, with the Relative Strength Index easing toward the mid-40s and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) slipping into negative territory, hinting that upside attempts may lack follow-through in the very near term.

On the topside, immediate resistance is located at the horizontal barrier near 214.50, where a daily close above would reopen the path toward the recent peak of 216.60 and signal renewed bullish impulse.

On the downside, initial support is provided by the 100-day SMA at 211.89, with a break there exposing deeper retracement toward the 200-day SMA at 206.74, where buyers would be expected to defend the broader uptrend.

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 New Zealand Dollar.

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD-0.19%-0.14%0.02%-0.19%-0.06%0.12%-0.11%
EUR0.19%0.04%0.18%-0.01%0.15%0.30%0.08%
GBP0.14%-0.04%0.15%-0.04%0.09%0.26%0.06%
JPY-0.02%-0.18%-0.15%-0.20%-0.08%0.07%-0.12%
CAD0.19%0.01%0.04%0.20%0.12%0.29%0.10%
AUD0.06%-0.15%-0.09%0.08%-0.12%0.16%-0.02%
NZD-0.12%-0.30%-0.26%-0.07%-0.29%-0.16%-0.20%
CHF0.11%-0.08%-0.06%0.12%-0.10%0.02%0.20%

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).

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Japanese Yen gives back gains against US Dollar, ISM PMI data eyed

  • Japanese Yen falls back against the US Dollar, with the USD/JPY pair rebounding to near 156.55.
  • Japanโ€™s FM Katayama warned of possible intervention on Thursday.
  • The Fed is largely expected to keep interest rates at their current levels by the year-end.

The Japanese Yen (JPY) gives up gains recorded in the early European trade against the US Dollar (USD) during the early North American trading session on Friday. The USD/JPY pair rebounds to near 156.55 after sliding to around 155.50, but is still marginally down.

In the early European session, a sudden spike was observed in the Japanese Yen, which was expected to be due to possible Japanese intervention in forex markets. However, there had been no official announcement regarding the same.

A stealth intervention by Japan was highly anticipated as Finance Minister (FM) Satsuki Katayama said on Thursday that they are moving closer to taking decisive action in the foreign exchange markets.

Meanwhile, the upside in the USD/JPY pair is expected to be limited as the US Dollar (USD) is broadly underperforming despite expectations that theย Federal Reserveย (Fed) will not cut interest rates for the entire year.

US Dollar Price Today

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

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD-0.16%-0.08%-0.05%-0.11%0.07%0.27%-0.13%
EUR0.16%0.08%0.11%0.03%0.25%0.42%0.03%
GBP0.08%-0.08%0.02%-0.03%0.15%0.32%-0.02%
JPY0.05%-0.11%-0.02%-0.06%0.12%0.27%-0.07%
CAD0.11%-0.03%0.03%0.06%0.17%0.36%0.00%
AUD-0.07%-0.25%-0.15%-0.12%-0.17%0.18%-0.16%
NZD-0.27%-0.42%-0.32%-0.27%-0.36%-0.18%-0.36%
CHF0.13%-0.03%0.02%0.07%-0.00%0.16%0.36%

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 US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote).

According to the CME FedWatch tool, the odds of the Fed keeping interestย ratesย unchanged in the current range of 3.50%-3.75% by the year end is 83.6%.

In Fridayโ€™s session, investors will focus on the US ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managersโ€™ Index (PMI) data for April, which will be published at 14:00 GMT. The US ISMย Manufacturing PMIย is expected to come in higher at 53.0 from 52.7 in March.

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EUR/USD nears weekly highs at 1.1755 as the US Dollar falters

  • EUR/USD extends gains on Friday, approaching weekly highs, at 1.1755.
  • Another alleged Yen intervention has hit the US Dollar on a holiday-thinned market.
  • The Euro bounced up on Thursday amid hot Eurozone inflation and a hawkish hold by the ECB.

The Euroย (EUR) has turned positive against a weaker US Dollar (USD) on Friday, and is trading at 1.1742 at the time of writing, a few pips short of the top of the weekly trading range, at 1.1755. An alleged intervention by Japanese authorities, presumably the second in the last two days, hit the USD/JPY earlier on Friday, hammering the Greenback in thinned Labour Day trading.

The USD/JPY dropped nearly 200 pips in a matter of seconds at the early European session, in a move that reverberated throughout the market, sending the US Dollar lower across the board. The EUR/USD, which hitherto was featuring moderate losses, resumed its positive trend from Thursday’s lows at 1.1655.

The pair regained lost ground on Thursday, as investors prioritised the hot Eurozone inflation figures over the weakening Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures. Later on, the European Central Bank (ECB) delivered a “hawkish hold,” keeping interestย ratesย unchanged but hinting at a rate hike in the near term.

The ECB’s stance was reaffirmed by theย Bundesbank president and committee member, Joachim Nagel, who said on Friday that the baseline scenario entails a more restrictive monetary policy and flagged the possibility of a rate hike in June.

Meanwhile, the situation in the Middle East remains stalled. The US and Iran have continued exchanging threats, with the Strait of Hormuz entering its third month of blockade and no credible plan to reopen it at sight. Oil prices are above the key $100, with Brent Oil at $113.94 at the time of writing, a very painful level forย Eurozoneย Crude-importing economies, which will, highly likely, weigh on the Euro in the long run.

Technical Analysis: EUR/USD keeps looking for direction around 1.1700

EUR/USD Chart Analysis

From a technical perspective, the EUR/USD remains trapped within a broadly 100-pip range, with support above 1.1650 holding bears and upside attempts limited below 1.1750.

Technical indicators on the 4-hour chart are showing an improving momentum. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) reaches the 60 level, and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is showing a widening green histogram, suggesting that the bullish momentum is gathering pace.

Bulls, however, would need to break the mentioned 1.1755 resistance (April 27 high) to confirm that the bearish correction from 1.1850 highs has been completed. Further up, the April 20 high near 1.1790 is likely to test the Euro’s recovery ahead of April’s peak, right below 1.1850.

Bears, on the other hand, are struggling to extend dips below a cluster of supports between 1.1675 and the April 8 intraday low, near 1.1645. A confirmation below here would clear the way to the 61.8%ย Fibonacciย retracement of the early April rally, at 1.1580, and the April 2 and 3 low, near 1.1500.

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Chart of The Day – Intervention on the Yen? Tokyo Challenges Speculators

Key takeaways

  • Intervention at 160: Breaking the psychological USDJPY barrier forced Tokyo to act, pushing the rate down to 155 amid low liquidity during Golden Week.
  • Buying Time: Market interventions provide only temporary relief; a long-term trend reversal requires BoJ rate hikes and a shift in U.S. dollar strength.
  • Path to 1.0%: Despite the slow pace, high inflation and a weak yen are fueling a hawkish shift within the BoJ, with eyes on a 1.0% rate later in 2026.

Japan has once again found itself at the center of attention in global financial markets. Massive problems related to the energy crisis, high bond yields, prospects of resurgent inflation, and economic slowdown have led to another wave of yen sell-offs. Ultimately, when USDJPY once again broke through the 160 level, a currency intervention most likely took place. Although there has been no direct confirmation yet and we must wait for official, significantly delayed data from the Ministry of Finance, officials are confirming the situation between the lines and announcing a possible further fight against speculators.

A Repeat of the Past: What Happened on April 30th?

The final session of April brought dramatic scenarios. The USDJPY pair once again breached the psychological 160 barrier , triggering an avalanche of orders and forcing Tokyo to act. We quickly observed a strengthening of the yen, and the USDJPY pair dropped to the 155 level. Such a sharp move occurred during a period of low liquidityโ€”the Golden Week in Japan. It is also worth noting that this move coincided with record highs on the June Brent crude oil contract, which also dropped significantly at the moment of the Japanese intervention.

Golden Week is a 7-day period at the turn of April and May, featuring four national holidays. Authorities in Tokyo, led by Atsushi Mimura, sent a clear signal: “Golden Week” will not be a safe haven for speculation. History of Interventions: Is This a Good Time for the Yen? (2022โ€“2024) Japan has a rich, albeit bittersweet history of fighting market trends. Recent history shows that interventions are an effective “emergency brake,” but they rarely change the direction of travel in the long term. It is also worth remembering that there were years when the Ministry of Finance sold the yen due to excessive strength to boost export power.

History of recent interventions:

  • September/October 2022: The first large-scale market operations in decades conducted at a record-weak yen. The result was approximately a 15% strengthening of the yen against the dollar, a move that lasted about 3 months. USDJPY returned to the October 2022 peaks after about 10 months.
  • April/May 2024: Action aimed at defending the previous 2022 peaks and the approach to the psychological level of 160 USDJPY. It brought immediate success, and the situation on the currency pair only stabilized longer-term following dovish signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed).
  • July 2024: Another strike against speculators, this time supported by hawkish rhetoric from the Bank of Japan. The effect was much more lasting than in previous cases because the intervention was accompanied by an actual interest rate hike by the BoJ. On the other hand, the downward move lasted 2 months and amounted to approximately 13.5% on the USDJPY pair.

What is the conclusion? Intervention alone is only “buying time.” Real change depends on the divergence (or lack thereof) between the policies of the Bank of Japan and the U.S. Federal Reserve.

It is worth noting that the spread should have clearly favored the yen for nearly a year now , but the rise in yields in Japan is a result not only of higher interest rates but primarily concerns regarding the massive debt situation and further fiscal expansion plans. Source: Bloomberg Finance LP, XTB

โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹Furthermore, after the previous intervention in 2024, speculators changed their stance and a sharp short-squeeze on the yen began, with the market shifting from a net negative to a positive positioning for the first time since 2016. Currently, however, we are seeing an increase in short positions to almost the extreme high levels of 2024 or 2007. Source: xStation5

Bank of Japan Strategy: An Extremely Slow March Toward Normalization

While the Ministry of Finance fights on the front line with billions of dollars from reserves, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) is conducting an operation to normalize monetary policy after decades of maintaining extremely low interest rates. Nevertheless, due to the state of the Japanese economy, this process is very slow.

  • Where are we? After the December hike in 2025, the main interest rate in Japan stands at 0.75% โ€”its highest level in three decades, yet still one of the lowest in the world. Japan is still being used for carry trade transactions.
  • Divisions in the board: Recent meetings have shown a growing hawkish camp. As many as three out of nine board members favor an immediate move to the 1.0% level. This means that the probability of a hike this year is high.
  • Inflationary pressure: The BoJ forecasts core inflation (core CPI) for 2026 at 2.8%, which, with current rates, means that real interest rates remain deeply negative.

Whatโ€™s Next for Rates? The base scenario assumes that the BoJ will raise rates to 1.0% still in 2026. The weak yen is a key catalyst here: expensive energy and food imports are draining the wallets of the Japanese people, becoming a political issue that the central bank cannot ignore.

Does the Yen Have a Chance for a Permanent Recovery?

The intervention at the end of April is a clear sign that Tokyo’s threshold of patience lies around the 160 level. However, the fundamentals remain relentless. For the yen to gain value permanently, the market must believe in two factors: a change in BoJ communication to a more hawkish tone , which must be handled cautiously to avoid a crisis in yields; and a change in sentiment regarding the dollar. If the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz ends, the dollar will no longer be as necessary as a safe haven. On the other hand, if the Fed begins to communicate possible hikes, USDJPY could permanently find itself above 160.

โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹The pair is currently in an important area of potential extreme overbought conditions. Interventions would need to be carried out regularly, and additionally, we would need to see a fundamental shift on both the Japanese and global sides. Source: xStation5