Risk-off Sentiment Drags USD/JPY Back Below 110.00 Handle
The USD/JPY
pair dipped back below 110.00 handle during the Asian trading session
as risk-off mood griped investor sentiment, taking Japan's Nikkei lower
by more than 1.4% on Monday.
The USD/JPY pair inched higher for most of the trading sessions during
the past week, but has repeatedly failed to build on to its strength
above 110.00 handle. The pair on Monday was also dragged lower after the
release of a higher than expected Japan's trade surplus data.
With relatively empty economic calendar on Monday, investors will
scrutinize comments from the St. Louis Fed President James Bullard later
during NY session that could provide some momentum for the pair.
Meanwhile, risk sentiment across equity markets will continue to
determine sentiment around the pair.
From technical perspective, inability to sustain its strength above
50-day SMA resistance and a subsequent break below the previous trading
range break-point turned support near 109.50 region, is likely to open
room for further fall for the pair in the near-term.
Technical levels to watch
From current levels 109.50-45 area remains immediate support to watch
for, below which the pair might extend its weakness towards 20-day SMA
support near 108.70-65 region with 109.00 round figure mark acting as
intermediate support.
On the upside, the pair needs to sustain its strength above 50-day SMA
(currently near 110.00 region) in order to increase prospects for
further near-term up-move. On a sustained move above 110.00 handle,
leading to a momentum break beyond 3-weekly highs resistance near
110.55-60 area, would open room for an immediate up-move beyond 111.00
handle, towards 111.50 resistance area.
