Thursday was yet another virus-driven....>

DOLLAR-YEN: Thursday was yet another virus-driven day for USD/JPY. The number of

deaths & cases ticked higher still, inspiring demand for safe haven assets.

USD/JPY lost altitude through the Asia-Pac & European sessions, extending losses

as U.S. CDC reported the first case of a human-to-human transmission of the

virus in the country. However, the rate trimmed losses as WHO Emergency

Committee declared a global emergency, raising hopes for an effective,

coordinated action to contain the virus.

- BoJ Dep Gov Amamiya said at a press conference that Japan's central bank is

monitoring the Wuhan coronavirus situation.

- USD/JPY has slipped a bit and now trades -7 pips at Y108.90. Bears look for a

fall below Thursday's trough at Y108.58, towards the 200-DMA at Y108.44. Bulls

keep an eye on the 50-DMA/Wednesday's high at Y109.22/27.

- Japanese docket today features a slew of local data, such as unemployment,

retail sales, Tokyo CPI and flash industrial output. Looking further afield,

next week will see final Jibun Bank PMI readings (Mondau) as well as speeches

from BoJ's Wakatabe (Wednesday) and Masai (Thursday).