Investing.com – The U.S. dollar ended the week lower against the yen on Friday, falling for the second successive week as concerns over sovereign debt contagion in the euro zone supported demand for the safe haven yen.
USD/JPY hit 76.57 on Friday, the pair’s lowest since October 31; the pair subsequently consolidated at 76.87 by close of trade Friday, shedding 0.50% over the week.
The pair is likely to find support at 76.57, Friday’s low and the pair’s lowest since Japan’s government intervened last month to curb the appreciation of the currency and resistance at 77.26, Monday’s high.
The greenback pared losses against the yen on Friday amid speculation that the European Central Bank may lend to the International Monetary Fund for sovereign bailouts and as Italian and Spanish borrowing costs eased after rising to near unsustainable levels earlier in the week.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Finance Minister Jun Azumi said the situation in Italy and Spain was becoming “urgent” and urged Germany to play a more active role in creating a debt "firewall".
On Wednesday, the Bank of Japan left interest rates unchanged and cut its economic outlook amid uncertainty over the global economic outlook and the deepening debt crisis in the euro zone.
The bank also said that it may implement new stimulus measures if the yen resumes gains after scaling postwar highs against the greenback last month.
Also last week, U.S. data showed that initial jobless claims unexpectedly fell to a seven-month low, while housing starts rose more-than-expected, supporting risk appetite.
In the week ahead, investors will be keeping a close eye on developments within the euro zone. Meanwhile, U.S. data on third quarter growth and durable goods orders will be closely watched, in order to gauge the strength of the country’s economic recovery.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, November 21
The Bank of Japan is to publish the minutes of its November policy meeting. The minutes contain insights into current economic conditions for the bank’s perspective. Japan is also to publish official data on the trade balance, the difference in value between imported and exported goods.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is to release industry data on existing home sales.
Tuesday, November 22
The U.S. is to release preliminary data on gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic activity and the leading indicator of the economy's health. In addition, the U.S. Federal Reserve is to publish the minutes of its November policy meeting.
Wednesday, November 23
In Japan, markets are to remain closed for a national holiday.
The U.S. is to publish a string of economic data, including a government report on durable goods orders, a leading indicator of production. The country is also to publish its weekly report on initial jobless claims, in addition to data on crude oil stockpiles, inflation, personal income and personal spending. Meanwhile, the University of Michigan is to release revised data on inflation expectations and consumer sentiment.
Thursday, November 24
Markets in the U.S. are to remain closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Friday, November 25
Japan is to publish official data on inflation, a leading indicator of economic health.
USD/JPY hit 76.57 on Friday, the pair’s lowest since October 31; the pair subsequently consolidated at 76.87 by close of trade Friday, shedding 0.50% over the week.
The pair is likely to find support at 76.57, Friday’s low and the pair’s lowest since Japan’s government intervened last month to curb the appreciation of the currency and resistance at 77.26, Monday’s high.
The greenback pared losses against the yen on Friday amid speculation that the European Central Bank may lend to the International Monetary Fund for sovereign bailouts and as Italian and Spanish borrowing costs eased after rising to near unsustainable levels earlier in the week.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Finance Minister Jun Azumi said the situation in Italy and Spain was becoming “urgent” and urged Germany to play a more active role in creating a debt "firewall".
On Wednesday, the Bank of Japan left interest rates unchanged and cut its economic outlook amid uncertainty over the global economic outlook and the deepening debt crisis in the euro zone.
The bank also said that it may implement new stimulus measures if the yen resumes gains after scaling postwar highs against the greenback last month.
Also last week, U.S. data showed that initial jobless claims unexpectedly fell to a seven-month low, while housing starts rose more-than-expected, supporting risk appetite.
In the week ahead, investors will be keeping a close eye on developments within the euro zone. Meanwhile, U.S. data on third quarter growth and durable goods orders will be closely watched, in order to gauge the strength of the country’s economic recovery.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, November 21
The Bank of Japan is to publish the minutes of its November policy meeting. The minutes contain insights into current economic conditions for the bank’s perspective. Japan is also to publish official data on the trade balance, the difference in value between imported and exported goods.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is to release industry data on existing home sales.
Tuesday, November 22
The U.S. is to release preliminary data on gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic activity and the leading indicator of the economy's health. In addition, the U.S. Federal Reserve is to publish the minutes of its November policy meeting.
Wednesday, November 23
In Japan, markets are to remain closed for a national holiday.
The U.S. is to publish a string of economic data, including a government report on durable goods orders, a leading indicator of production. The country is also to publish its weekly report on initial jobless claims, in addition to data on crude oil stockpiles, inflation, personal income and personal spending. Meanwhile, the University of Michigan is to release revised data on inflation expectations and consumer sentiment.
Thursday, November 24
Markets in the U.S. are to remain closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Friday, November 25
Japan is to publish official data on inflation, a leading indicator of economic health.