Forex - USD/JPY edges higher but gains limited

Published 05/03/2012, 03:15 AM
USD/JPY
-
EUR/JPY
-
Investing.com - The U.S. dollar edged higher against the yen on Thursday, but gains were limited as renewed concerns over the outlook for global economic growth after a flurry of disappointing economic reports boosted safe haven demand.

USD/JPY hit 80.28 during early European trade, the daily high; the pair subsequently consolidated at 80.25, adding 0.14%.

The pair was likely to find support at 79.92, the low of February 24 and resistance at 80.60, Wednesday’s high.

Trading was expected to remain light with markets in Japan closed for the Golden Week holiday.

Market sentiment was sharply hit on Wednesday after a string of weak data from the U.S. and the euro zone reignited fears over the outlook for global economic growth.

Data showed that the final euro zone manufacturing index slumped to a 34-month low in April, while the unemployment rate in the bloc climbed to a record 10.7% in March.

Investors remained cautious ahead of the European Central Bank’s policy-setting meeting later in the day, amid ongoing concerns over elevated borrowing costs for vulnerable peripheral nations, particularly Spain.

In the U.S., a report showed that private sector added 119,000 jobs in April, far short of expectations for a gain of 177,000. It was the smallest increase in ADP nonfarm payrolls since September 2011.

The data added to fears that the economic recovery in the U.S. is losing momentum, ahead of a government report on nonfarm payrolls on Friday, after government in March showed a slowdown in hiring.

Elsewhere, the yen was moderately lower against the euro with EUR/JPY edging up 0.09%, to hit 105.57.

Later in the day, the U.S. was to produce government data on unemployment claims, as well as preliminary data on nonfarm productivity and unit labor costs. In addition, the Institute of Supply Management was to produce a report on service sector growth.


Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.