USD/JPY: bulls in control, but lack conviction ahead of key events ahead

• Overnight, the pair was in the hands of the bulls.
• USD/JPY traders are  awaiting Friday’s likely catalysts where nonfarm payrolls take the spotlight.

USD/JPY is very quiet in Tokyo, awaiting Friday’s likely catalysts where nonfarm payrolls take the spotlight and trade war angst has the potential to kick up some familiar dust in the face of risk on markets. USD/JPY is currently trading at 110.61 with a high of 110.71 and a low of 110.52.  

Overnight, the pair was in the hands of the bulls that are eyeing a test through the 111 handle, although unable to break through the 110.71 resistance where the DXY faded away into the NY close.  

Not even the stocks making a significant reversal was able to get the pair through the highs where most of the hard work has been done earlier in the day from 110.51. The pair moved in a sideways range thereon while traders weighed up the risks associated with tariffs kicking in tonight and NFPs on the cards in the US session.

As for data, “US non-manufacturing ISM was firmer than expected with the composite index rising to 59.1 (est. 58.2) and non-factory business activity reaching 63.9 – the highest since 2005 – plus stronger export orders,” analysts at Westpac explained.  “Private sector employment increased by 177,000 jobs from May to June according to the June National Employment Report,” the ADP Research Institue reported on Thursday.

Key notes from overnight

• Nonfarm Payroll preview: tariffs could overshadow employment data
• Wall Street posts strong gains led by technology
• June FOMC minutes: steady hikes, dovish risks – TDS

USD/JPY levels

Valeria Bednarik, chief analyst at FXStreet explained that from a technical point of view, the 4 hours chart shows that the pair bounced for a second consecutive day from a flat 100 SMA”

“The upward potential remains limited, as technical indicators remain directionless, with the Momentum below its 100 level and the RSI around 50.”