USDJPY: Recovery remains elusive below 146.30
On Tuesday morning, USDJPY gained momentum, continuing its recovery from a support level that had been holding for two months. It’s getting closer to the 200-Exponential Moving Average (EMA) while still within a bearish trend that started in early August. This rise reflects the US Dollar's bounce after Fed Chair Jerome Powell eased expectations for two more 0.50% rate cuts from the Federal Reserve in 2024. However, traders look forward to upcoming US employment data and Japanese reports to see how the market will move.
Bulls flex muscles for a long road ahead…
In addition to bouncing off the two-month support zone, an upward trend in the RSI (14) and a potential bullish crossover on the MACD are boosting the USDJPY's rise toward the key EMA. However, the ongoing bearish trend channel and differing monetary policies between the Bank of Japan (BoJ) and the US Federal Reserve (Fed) could create challenges for the bulls.
Key technical levels to watch…
In the short term, the 200-EMA around 144.75 and the upper line of the bearish channel near 146.30 are significant hurdles for USDJPY buyers. If they push past these levels, the pair could rise toward the mid-August high around 149.40 and possibly hit the 150.00 mark. It's important to note that the 152.00 level seems to be the last stronghold for Yen sellers.
On the flip side, the horizontal support area between 141.75 and 141.65 offers some stability for USDJPY in the short term, protecting it from a drop toward the monthly low and the bottom of the bearish channel near 139.55 and 138.75. If the pair breaks below 138.75, the mid-2023 low of around 137.20 may serve as the final defense for buyers.
The road toward the north appears long and bumpy
While technical indicators hint at a potential recovery for USDJPY, the underlying fundamentals pose challenges for a sustained bullish move. Buyers should be cautious before making large investments.
