Investing.com - The dollar ended slightly lower against the yen on Friday as investors shrugged off comments by Japan’s finance minister aimed at weakening the currency.
USD/JPY was down 0.11% at 108.10 late Friday, after rising to highs of 109.9 earlier. The dollar fell to lows of 107.65 against the yen on Thursday, the lowest level since October 2014.
The pair ended the week with losses of 3.21% and the dollar has lost 10% against the yen so far this year.
The dollar initially gained ground against the yen after Japan’s Finance Minister Taro Aso said that rapid currency moves were undesirable and the yen’s moves were one-sided, flagging a possible intervention by authorities to weaken the currency.
But the dollar reversed early gains amid expectations that Japanese officials will hold off any actions to stem the yen’s gains until at least after next week's G20 meetings in Washington.
The Bank of Japan shocked markets with its decision to adopt negative interest rates earlier this year but the yen has continued to strengthen, posing a challenge to the central bank’s attempts to spur price growth.
The dollar has been hit by the view that the Federal Reserve is likely to stick to a cautious approach towards raising interest rates in the coming months.
Lower interest rates make the dollar less attractive to yield seeking investors.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was down 0.3% at 94.22 late Friday.
The euro pushed higher, with EUR/USD rising 0.21% to 1.1402.
The euro’s gains were held in check after senior European Central Bank officials reiterated Thursday that further monetary stimulus measures can be implemented if necessary.
The commodity linked currencies strengthened on the back of a rally in oil prices.
AUD/USD was up 0.67% at 0.7555 and NZD/USD rose 0.46% to 0.6806.
The Canadian dollar rose to one-week highs, with USD/CAD down 1.29% at 1.2978 on the back of a better-than-expected Canadian jobs report.
In the week ahead, investors will be turning their attention to inflation reports from the U.S., Europe and China for any indications that central bank stimulus has helped to spur price growth.
Data on first quarter Chinese growth on Friday will also be closely watched amid persistent fears over a slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, April 11
China is to release reports on consumer and producer price inflation.
Tuesday, April 12
Australia is to release private sector data on business confidence.
The U.K. is to produce data on consumer prices.
Wednesday, April 13
China is to publish data on the trade balance.
The U.S. is to release reports on producer prices and retail sales.
The Bank of Canada is to announce its benchmark interest rate and publish its rate statement, which outlines economic conditions and the factors affecting the monetary policy decision. The announcement is to be followed by a press conference.
Thursday, April 14
Australia is to publish its monthly employment report.
Switzerland is to release data on producer prices.
The euro zone is to produce revised data on consumer inflation.
The Bank of England is to announce its benchmark interest rate and publish the minutes of its monetary policy meeting.
The U.S. is to release the weekly report on initial jobless claims and data on consumer inflation.
Friday, April 15
China is to publish data on first quarter gross domestic product as well as a report on industrial production.
Canada is to release data on manufacturing sales.
The U.S. is to round up the week with reports on manufacturing activity in the New York region, industrial production and a preliminary reading of consumer sentiment.