The dollar-yen pair soared by more than 350 points during the Asian session on Wednesday, reacting to the results of the January meeting of the Bank of Japan. If yesterday the pair fixed a low at 128.02, at the moment, the price has peaked at 131.60. Traders are playing back the "dovish" results of the January meeting of the members of the Japanese regulator.
Expected "sensation"
On the one hand, nothing sensational happened today. The previous rhetoric of the head of the central bank, Haruhiko Kuroda, was clearly dovish: he did not get tired of repeating that the December decision to expand the allowable range of fluctuations in the yield of ten-year government bonds does not indicate a reversal of the monetary rate of the central bank. Therefore, it would be surprising if he changed his position and supported the next steps to normalize monetary policy at the January meeting.
On the other hand, traders, contrary to Kuroda's dovish assurances, still bet (judging by the behavior of the yen) that the Bank of Japan would make further adjustments to the policy of controlling the yield curve or completely abandon it. Note that the yield of Japanese government bonds on Monday again exceeded the new target yield range, reaching 0.51%.
But in the end, the conservatism of the consistent "dove" Kuroda won. The Japanese central bank has made it clear that it does not intend to abandon the ultra-loose monetary policy, which it has adhered to for years. The regulator kept the parameters of the monetary policy and worsened the forecast for the growth of the Japanese economy. The short-term interest rate on deposits of commercial banks with the central bank was left at -0.1% per annum, the target yield on ten-year government bonds is near zero. No changes were made to the yield range. Also, there are no changes in the central bank's outlook on interest rates.
Disappointing (for the yen) macroeconomic forecasts
The Bank of Japan's quarterly outlook report said the country's economy is likely to recover weakly "as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and supply constraints ease." At the same time, price growth is expected to "narrow by the middle of the next fiscal year" (in Japan, the fiscal year, as you know, is set from April 1 to March 31). According to the central bank's economists, prices may deviate to the downside "because wage growth will not increase as expected." Inflation is estimated to be around 3% this fiscal year and decline to 1.6% next year.
In addition, the Bank of Japan worsened its forecast for the country's GDP growth in the current fiscal year from the previously expected 2%. Arguing for its decision, the central bank pointed to a slowdown in economic growth abroad and high prices for raw materials. The regulator also worsened its forecasts for the next fiscal year (2023): economy is estimated to grow by 1.7% against the previous estimate of 1.9%.
Summing up all of the above, in the "bottom line," we have the following situation: 1) the Bank of Japan has retained the range within which the yield of 10-year government bonds can fluctuate (+/- 0.5%); 2) allowed (predicted) a slowdown in inflation in the second half of 2023; 3) worsened the forecast for the growth of the country's economy—both in the current fiscal year and next.
It's too early to write off the yen
The announced results of the January meeting a priori do not imply tightening monetary policy. And yet, it is not worth writing off the Japanese currency. Moreover, it is risky since many market participants surely desires to make money on the upward dynamics of USD/JPY. This is a rather risky venture as the upward momentum may fade by medium-term, and the pair will turn downward again.
First, in just three months—in April of this year—Kuroda will leave his post after 10 years in office. Despite the actual inaction of the central bank at the January meeting, the pressure from the market will not disappear anywhere, and will only increase over time. While the likely successors of Haruhiko Kuroda at least allow for a scenario in which the central bank will take further steps to normalize the monetary policy.
Secondly, the yen may be supported by inflation, which, apparently, is not going to slow down in Japan. On Friday, January 20, key inflation data for December will be published. According to preliminary forecasts, the general consumer price index will show an increase in inflation by 4.0%. If the indicator comes out, at least at the forecast level, it will be a new high for the last 41 years. The CPI excluding fresh food prices should also show positive dynamics (expected to rise to 4.1%), as well as the consumer price index excluding food and energy prices (this indicator should rise to 3.0%). Recall that the corporate goods price index published the day before yesterday (which measures the prices of goods purchased by Japanese corporations) rose in December by 10.2% year-on-year, exceeding the average market forecast of growth by 9.5%.
If the inflation figures comes out, at least at the forecast level (not to mention the "green zone") on Friday, the yen may again begin to enjoy increased demand, despite the "dovish" results of the January meeting.
Conclusions
Thus, at the moment, it is best to take a wait-and-see position for the USD/JPY pair, watching the price move upwards. As the upward impulse fades, short positions can be considered with the first target at 128.70 (the middle line of the Bollinger Bands indicator on the four-hour chart) and 127.25 (the lower line of the Bollinger Bands on the same timeframe).
