NVDA Q3 Earnings Alert: Why our AI stock picker is still holding Nvidia stockRead More

FOREX-Yen dips vs dollar as risk reduction pauses

Published 01/25/2010, 07:34 PM
Updated 01/25/2010, 07:36 PM

* Yen dips vs euro, down from last week's 9-mth high

* Yen slips vs dollar, off this week's 1-mth high

* BOJ seen likely to stand pat in Tuesday's policy decision

* Some focus on Japan investment trust launch on Tuesday

By Masayuki Kitano

TOKYO, Jan 26 (Reuters) - The yen held broadly steady on Tuesday, hovering below a nine-month peak struck against the euro last week and taking a breather from a rally triggered by the onset of risk reduction.

The yen surged last week as investors dumped higher-yielding currencies and risky assets on concerns that China's efforts to curb its surging economy could impair global growth and worries over a White House plan to curb risk-taking among banks.

Investors have taken a pause from such risk-reduction so far this week, with U.S. stocks snapping a three-day slide on Monday, and strong demand at a sale of Greek five-year debt allaying some concerns over Greece's fiscal problems.

The outlook remains uncertain, however, said a trader for a major Japanese bank.

"The U.S. proposals for financial regulation have been the biggest factor and there is a lot that remains unclear. In that sense, moves toward risk aversion could persist," the trader said.

The dollar edged up 0.1 percent against the yen to 90.39 yen, up from a one-month low of 89.71 yen hit on trading platform EBS on Monday.

The euro rose 0.2 percent against the yen to 128.02 yen, having pulled up from a nine-month low of 126.55 yen struck on trading platform EBS last week.

The euro held steady against the dollar at $1.4157, up from a six-month low of $1.4029 hit last week.

Market players said the yen would take its cue from the Bank of Japan's policy decision due later on Tuesday.

The BOJ is seen likely to keep interest rates at 0.1 percent and to hold off on new initiatives at its meeting, having introduced a new funding operation last month after a period of intense government pressure for action to support the fragile economy.

If the BOJ keeps monetary policy unchanged and just points to the possibility of further easing in the future, the impact on the yen is likely to be limited, said the trader for a major Japanese bank.

But the yen could weaken if the BOJ surprises the market by unveiling any additional monetary easing measures, market players said.

Another factor that may impact the yen is the planned launch of Japanese investment trusts, known as "toushin", targeting overseas assets.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management is due to launch an investment trust on Tuesday that will invest in global railroad-related equities.

Such mutual funds targeting overseas assets can generate yen-selling flows and pressure the yen if retail demand turns out to be strong.

Australian markets are closed on Tuesday for a holiday. (Editing by Michael Watson)

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.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.