January 15, 2025 05:09 GMT
JPY: Yen Up With January Hike Odds As Ueda Speaks In Tokyo
JPY
USD/JPY is moving lower, the pair last near 157.50/55, close to session lows. We are up around 0.30% in yen terms, comfortably the best G10 performer in what has been a muted session ahead of the US CPI print later.
- USD/JPY's down move has been aided by remarks by BoJ Governor Ueda in Tokyo (per BBG/Rtrs). Ueda stating that a rate hike decision will be made next week at the policy meeting. The Governor noting US economic developments and wage trends will be key watch points. He added that the recent branch managers meeting expressed positive trends around wage trends. See this BBG link.
- The comments largely echoed those made by Deputy Governor Himino yesterday, but no push back from Ueda on rate hike has likely encouraged markets to believe next week's meeting is a live one. Current OIS pricing indicates: a 69% probability of a 25bp hike in January; a cumulative 86% chance by May; and a full 25bp increase not fully priced in until May 2025. The Jan meeting odds have risen since Himino spoke yesterday.
- For USD/JPY levels, lows earlier this week were at 156.92, while the 20-day EMA is around 156.71.
195 words