USD/JPY finished slightly in the red.....>

DOLLAR-YEN: USD/JPY finished slightly in the red Thursday, even as DXY nudged

higher. The pair edged lower in Asia-Pac hours before recovering in the European

morning after a larger than forecast pickup in French PMI data. That said, poor

details of the worse than exp. EZ survey helped erase the move. Selling pressure

intensified as BBG reported that the BoJ are said to mull refraining from extra

stimulus at next week's meeting, and will instead look at fresh ways to show its

continued readiness to take action. Renewed demand seen into the close allowed

the pair to pare its earlier losses.

- USD/JPY sits at Y108.61, unchanged on the day. Bears look for a drop under

Wednesday's low of Y108.25, towards the Y108.00 figure, which coincides with the

38.2% retracement of the Oct range. Bulls keep an eye on the recent cycle high

of Y108.94, touched on Oct 17.

- Little of note in the Japanese docket today. Next week's data highlights

include Tokyo CPI (Tuesday), retail sales (Wednesday), flash industrial output

(Thursday), as well as unemployment and final Jibun Bank m'fing PMI (Friday).

The BoJ will deliver its MonPol decision next Thursday.