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

FOREX-Yen surges as Dubai woes put investors off risk

Published 11/26/2009, 07:53 PM
Updated 11/26/2009, 07:57 PM

* Month-end yen buying from Japanese exporters seen

* Pro-risk trades unwound on concerns about Dubai debt

By Kaori Kaneko

TOKYO, Nov 27 (Reuters) - The yen hit its highest level in 14 years on the dollar on Friday and also jumped against the Australian dollar and higher-yielding currencies, with investors unwinding risk trades as stocks fell on concerns about debt problems in Dubai.

The yen climbed following declines in European share markets on Thursday, when U.S. markets were on holiday, and shares in Asia also fell, adding to the nervous climate.

Dealers said yen demand for commercial needs from Japanese exporters at the month-end was also fuelling the gains.

The dollar fell as far as 84.82 yen before rebounding back above 85.00. Comments from Japanese Finance Minister Hirohisa Fujii that currency moves were now extreme and that it was possible to take appropriate measures helped lift it, but the impact was shortlived.

"The market was driven by stop losses in yen crosses in thin trade," said Kazuyuki Kato, treasury department manager at Mizuho Trust & Banking.

"The market bias is for risk-avoiding trade," he said.

Dubai struggled to ease fears of debt default on Thursday after its move to delay repayments at two flagship firms shook confidence in the Middle East as a centre for investment and a source of capital.

The euro dropped 1.4 percent to 128.26 yen after falling as far as 126.95 yen, its lowest since late April. The Australian dollar shed 2 percent to 77.48 yen.

The euro was down 0.3 percent at $1.4970. (Editing by Hugh Lawson) ((kaori.kaneko@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging: kaori.kaneko.reuters.com@reuters.net; +81-3-6441-1983)) ((If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com))

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.