CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 82.67% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money

USD/JPY continues to build higher towards 138

By Daniela Hathorn

11:50, 17 May 2023

Japanese yen currency
Japanese yen currency - Source: getty images

USD/JPY is advancing for the 5th straight session nearing the top of its ascending triangle pattern for the second time this month. The pair is currently facing off with the 200-day SMA (137.072) which is causing some resistance for buyers, but the path of least resistance is pointing firmly higher as the recent bullish momentum has formed higher highs and lows, suggesting that any pullback will likely strengthen the move higher as it may attract new buyers.

USD/JPY daily chart

USD/JPY daily chartSource: tradingview

The US dollar has been moving higher in recent days as there seems to be some progress being made in the debt ceiling impasse, suggesting a default may be avoided. This has likely restored some confidence in the dollar at a time when investors are looking to balance out their portfolios with more safe haven assets, which include the US currency and value stocks like the big tech names.

Despite the Japanese yen also being valued as a value-holding investment, the Bank of Japan’s continued ultra-lose monetary policy is scaring investors away given the country is experiencing the highest level of inflation in over 30 years. The updated CPI reading for April will be released tomorrow, May 18th.

GBP/USD

1.26 Price
-0.140% 1D Chg, %
Long position overnight fee -0.0039%
Short position overnight fee -0.0043%
Overnight fee time 22:00 (UTC)
Spread 0.00013

EUR/USD

1.05 Price
-0.250% 1D Chg, %
Long position overnight fee -0.0080%
Short position overnight fee -0.0002%
Overnight fee time 22:00 (UTC)
Spread 0.00006

USD/JPY

154.40 Price
-0.650% 1D Chg, %
Long position overnight fee 0.0083%
Short position overnight fee -0.0165%
Overnight fee time 22:00 (UTC)
Spread 0.010

GBP/JPY

194.97 Price
-0.810% 1D Chg, %
Long position overnight fee 0.0085%
Short position overnight fee -0.0167%
Overnight fee time 22:00 (UTC)
Spread 0.033

Elsewhere, with inflation expectations having been revised upwards for the longer term, US yields have been building momentum after pulling back heavily at the beginning of May on the back of the Fed’s suggestion that rate hikes may be paused as of June. Market expectations have changed over the past few days, with the market-implied rate curve showing a probability of 82% that no hike is delivered on June 14th, down from 98% just after the May meeting.

So far, USD buyers have been taking advantage of the move higher in yields, with the Dollar index at a 5-week high, currently trying to break above the 100-day SMA (102.49) after pushing beyond the 50-day SMA (101.94) for the first time since March 21st.

DXY daily chart

DXY daily chartSource: tradingview

Rate this article

The difference between trading assets and CFDs
The main difference between CFD trading and trading assets, such as commodities and stocks, is that you don’t own the underlying asset when you trade on a CFD.
You can still benefit if the market moves in your favour, or make a loss if it moves against you. However, with traditional trading you enter a contract to exchange the legal ownership of the individual shares or the commodities for money, and you own this until you sell it again.
CFDs are leveraged products, which means that you only need to deposit a percentage of the full value of the CFD trade in order to open a position. But with traditional trading, you buy the assets for the full amount. In the UK, there is no stamp duty on CFD trading, but there is when you buy stocks, for example.
CFDs attract overnight costs to hold the trades (unless you use 1-1 leverage), which makes them more suited to short-term trading opportunities. Stocks and commodities are more normally bought and held for longer. You might also pay a broker commission or fees when buying and selling assets direct and you’d need somewhere to store them safely.
Capital Com is an execution-only service provider. The material provided in this article is for information purposes only and should not be understood as investment advice. Any opinion that may be provided on this page does not constitute a recommendation by Capital Com or its agents and has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote investment research independence. While the information in this communication, or on which this communication is based, has been obtained from sources that Capital.com believes to be reliable and accurate, it has not undergone independent verification. No representation or warranty, whether expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any information obtained from third parties. If you rely on the information on this page, then you do so entirely at your own risk.

Still looking for a broker you can trust?

Join the 660,000+ traders worldwide that chose to trade with Capital.com

1. Create & verify your account 2. Make your first deposit 3. You’re all set. Start trading