JP: Dollar Easier above 103.50 Yen before Key U.S. Event
The dollar eased a little in range-bound trading above „103.50 in Tokyo Friday, as investors retreated to the sidelines before a key U.S. economic event and ahead of the weekend.
At 5 p.m., the dollar stood at „103.76-76, down from „103.82-83 at the same time Thursday. The euro was at $1.3287-3287, up from $1.3274-3274, and at „137.86-87, against „137.82-84.
The dollar briefly rose up to around „103.95 in the morning, backed by Tokyo stocksâ solid performance in the wake of a Wall Street rally overnight on the release of favorable U.S. economic data including initial jobless claims. The greenback was also aided by purchases by Japanese importers.
But the dollar lost the upward momentum after the initial buying ran its course and fell to around „103.70 following Tokyo stocksâ downturn in the afternoon.
âWhen the dollar neared the psychologically important line of „104, profit-taking selling gathered steam,â an official at a foreign exchange broker said.
With the dollar rising close to the upper end of its „101-104 range since February, individual investors have become prone to selling, an official at a foreign exchange trading firm said.
In view of the U.S. currencyâs failure to top „104, players gradually enhanced position adjustment selling ahead of the weekend, market sources said, adding that the favorable effects of the strong showings of the U.S. economic indicators did not last long after the dollarâs recent rally on expectations of an early rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
âInvestors are believed to have reduced their dollar-long positions ahead of a closely watched speech by Fed Chair Janet Yellenâ at a financial symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Friday, an official at a major Japanese bank said.
Players were cautious about stepping up dollar purchases because the greenback may take a dive if Yellen stresses her dovish stance on interest rates, an official at another major Japanese bank said.
âAs chances cannot be ruled out that the dollar-yen pair will show some volatile moves following Yellenâs speech, investors see no need to tilt positions for now,â a currency broker said.
JGBs bounce back
Japanese government bonds bounced back Friday as investors moved to cover their short positions ahead of a closely watched speech by the U.S. Federal Reserve chief.
In futures trading on the Osaka Exchange, the lead September contract on 10-year JGBs closed up 0.21 point from Thursday at 146.07. Volume rose to 45,902 contracts from 43,913.
In late interdealer trading in cash JGBs, the yield on the latest 334th 10-year issue with a 0.6 percent coupon stood at 0.51 percent, down from 0.525 percent late Thursday.
JGB futures were bought back at the outset, after U.S. Treasuries rallied overnight on speculation that the Fed Chair Janet Yellen would exhibit her cautious stance toward an early rate hike in the speech in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Friday.