USD/JPY hovered near 159.20 on Friday, with the Dollar supported after US inflation data steadied and the Yen weak as the Bank of Japan’s policy path remained uncertain. Core PCE was unchanged at 3.3% year on year in April, reinforcing expectations the Federal Reserve could keep rates higher for longer. In Japan, Tokyo core CPI slowed to 1.4% year on year in May, staying below the BoJ’s 2% target for a fourth straight month, even as factory output rebounded in April.
On a four-hour view, the pair traded at 159.24 and remained range-bound between nearby support and overhead resistance. Price held above the 100-period SMA at 158.48, but stayed capped by the 20-period SMA at 159.36, which also aligns with a horizontal barrier. RSI sat around 49. Resistance was flagged at 159.25 and then 159.36, while support was seen at 159.20 and 159.10; a deeper floor sits near 158.48.
Fundamental Drivers and Policy Divergence
We see the fundamental story for a strong dollar against the yen remaining firmly in place. Persistent US inflation, with Core PCE holding at 3.3%, suggests the Federal Reserve will not be cutting rates soon. This policy divergence with the Bank of Japan, which is grappling with inflation below its 2% target, is the primary driver for this currency pair.
With USD/JPY trading near 159.20, we must be highly alert to the risk of intervention from Japanese authorities. We saw significant yen-buying intervention back in April and May of 2024 when the rate crossed the 160 threshold, causing sharp, sudden drops of 3% or more within hours. This history makes holding outright long positions risky without some form of protection.
Strategic Approaches and Risk Management
Considering this, we believe bull call spreads are an appropriate strategy for the coming weeks. Buying a call option with a strike price just above the current level, like 159.50, and simultaneously selling a higher-strike call, perhaps at 161.00, allows for profit on a modest upward move. This strategy limits our risk if Japanese officials decide to intervene unexpectedly.
We also see an opportunity in the rising implied volatility, which often precedes major currency moves. The Cboe/CME FX Yen Volatility Index has been climbing, recently showing a 30-day reading near 9.5%, but this could spike dramatically as it did during the 2024 interventions when it exceeded 12%. For traders expecting a sharp breakout in either direction, purchasing long straddles or strangles could prove profitable.
For those with existing long exposure, buying out-of-the-money put options is a prudent hedge. A put with a strike around the 158.50 support level could provide effective downside protection for a relatively low premium. This acts as insurance against a sharp reversal caused by intervention or a sudden shift in market sentiment.
