USD/JPY struggles to extend its recovery beyond 104.40
- USD/JPY recovery attempt from 104.10 low stalls below 104.40.
- The Japanese yen remains bid on a risk-off market.
- USD/JPY is risking to break below the 104.00. level – Commerzbank.
The US dollar is attempting to pick up after having dropped to a five-week low at 104.10 against the Japanese yen earlier on Wednesday. The pair, however, remains unable to get past 104.40, and remains dangerously close to multi-month lows at 104.00.
The Japanese yen appreciates on a risk-off session
The greenback heading south for the third consecutive day, with the safe-haven yen appreciating across the board amid a strong risk-averse mood. Equity markets are going through significant declines as COVID-19 infections surging in the US and in Europe.
News that France and Germany are considering new lockdowns has boosted concerns about the potential damage to the incipient economic recovery triggering a rush to safety that has boosted demand for the Japanese yen.
Furthermore, the uncertainty about the US elections is contributing to curb appetite for risk. The market anticipates Biden’s victory, yet, with the distance between the two main candidates tightening in the polls, investors are turning increasingly cautious, fearing sharp price moves as the elections approach.
USD/JPY at risk of breaking 104.00 support – Commerzbank
From a technical point of view, Karen Jones, Team Head FICC Technical Analysis Research at Commerzbank, sees the USD/JPY likely to extend its decline below 104.00: “USD/JPY came under pressure again, it remains capped by the three-month downtrend at 105.70 and the focus is on the 104.00 September low. This together with the 200-month ma at 103.93 guards the 103.43/78.6% Fibonacci retracement which is the last defence for the 101.18 March low.”
Technical levels to watch