The likeliness of USD/JPY to test the 126.00 region in the next weeks now appears diminished, according to FX Strategists at UOB Group Lee Sue Ann and Quek Ser Leang. Last Friday, USD traded in a relatively quiet manner between 126.66 and 127.25 before closing largely unchanged at 127.11 (-0.02%). The movement is likely part of a consolidation phase and USD is likely to trade sideways even though the slightly firmed underlying tone suggests a higher range of 126.70/127.30.
In our latest narrative from last Wednesday (25 May, spot at 126.95), we highlighted that the oversold decline in USD has room to extend to 126.00, possibly 125.60. Since then, USD has not been able to make any headway on the downside as it traded sideways.
Downward momentum has waned considerably and the chance for USD to decline to 126.00 has diminished. However, only a breach of 127.60 (‘strong resistance’ level previously at 127.90) would indicate that the downward pressure that started more than two weeks ago has run its course.