Yen Firm in Quiet Markets, Bitcoin Free Fall

While US stocks tumbled overnight, Asian markets are just mixed. Gold and oil are stuck in range too, while the bigger move is found in bitcoin. The forex markets are also generally staying in tight range. Yen is currently the strongest one for the week, followed by New Zealand Dollar and Euro. But Australian Dollar is the worst, followed by Dollar and Sterling.

Technically, our focus will remain on when Dollar would breakout to the downside, and whether that could be accompanied by stronger rebound in Yen. Levels to watch include 1.2079 temporary top in EUR/USD and 0.9127 temporary low in USD/CHF. At the same time, 129.56 minor support in EUR/JPY will be watched to gauge Yen strength. More importantly, we’ll see if USD/JPY could rebound from 107.75 fibonacci support.

In Asia, at the time of writing, Nikkei is currently down -0.65%. Hong Kong HSI is up 0.90%. China Shanghai SSE is up 0.05%. Singapore Straight Times is down -0.27%. Japan 10-year JGB yield is up 0.0012 at 0.070. Overnight, DOW dropped -0.94%. S&P 500 dropped -0.92%. NASDSAQ dropped -0.94%. 10-year yield dropped -0.010 to 1.554.

Bitcoin breaches 50k as correction extends, targeting 41591 fib support

Bitcoin’s fall from 64828 accelerates lower today and breaches 50k handle. As noted in a previous post, a 5-wave terminal triangle has completed at the record high, which should mark a medium term top. We’re seeing the fall from there as correction to whole up trend from up trend from 4000 (Mar 2020).

Further decline is now expected as long as 57093 resistance holds. The correction should extend to 38.2% retracement of 4000 to 64828 at 41591, which is close to the top of prior range of 20283/41964. Some support could be seen there to set the medium term range.

Japan CPI core rose to -0.1% yoy in Mar, negative for the 8th straight months

Japan CPI core (all-item less fresh food) improved to -0.1% yoy in March, up from -0.4% yoy, above expectation of -0.2% yoy. But that’s still the eight straight months of negative reading. Further fall in core inflation is expected due to drag from mobile phone fee cuts. All-item CPI rose to -0.2% yoy, up from -0.4% yoy. CPI core-core (all-item less fresh food and energy) also ticked up to 0.3% yoy from 0.2% yoy.

Separately, BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda told reiterated to the parliament, “when Japan’s inflation approaches our target, we will deliberate an exit strategy at our policy-setting meeting including details such as the timing and means for selling ETFs.” But for now, inflation remains distant from target.

Japan PMI manufacturing rose to 53.3, highest since Apr 2018

Japan PMI Manufacturing rose to 53.3 in April up from 52.7, above expectation of 53.1. That’s the strongest reading since April 2018. PMI Services was unchanged at 48.3. PMI Composite ticked up from 49.9 to 50.2, returned to expansion for the first time since January 2020.

Usamah Bhatti, Economist at IHS Markit, said: “While some Japanese private sector businesses noted that a resurgence in COVID-19 cases could dampen prospects in the second quarter of the year, firms remained optimistic that overall business activity would improve in the coming 12 months. That said, there is concern the impact of the pandemic will be prolonged further.”

Australia PMI composite rose to record 58.8 in Apr, strong start to Q2

Australia PMI Manufacturing rose to 59.6 in April, up from 56.8. PMI Services rose to 58.6, up from 55.5. PMI Composite rose to 58.8, up from 55.5. All three indexes were at record highs.

Pollyanna De Lima, Economics Associate Director at IHS Markit, said: “Australia’s private sector started the second quarter on a strong footing, with growth of output accelerating for the second time in a row to the steepest on record as sales were boosted by improved market confidence due to a reduction in the negative impact of COVID-19.

“The stronger growth momentum filtered through to the labour market… The overall degree of business sentiment improved from March’s seven-month low and was above its average… Ongoing supply-chain disruptions continued to exert upward pressure on inflation. The flash results highlighted the steepest increases in both input costs and selling charges since the inception of the survey.”

Looking ahead

UK retail sales and PMIs will be released in European session. Eurozone will also release PMIs. US will release PMIs and new home sales.

EUR/JPY Daily Outlook

Daily Pivots: (S1) 129.74; (P) 129.95; (R1) 130.25; More….

Intraday bias in EUR/JPY stays neutral first. On the downside break of 129.56 support would turn bias to the downside for deeper correction to 128.28 support. On the upside, firm break of 130.95 will resume larger rise from 114.42 to 100% projection of 114.42 to 127.07 from 121.63 at 134.28.

In the bigger picture, rise from 114.42 is seen as a medium term rising leg inside a long term sideway pattern. Further rise is expected as long as 127.07 resistance turned support holds. Next target is 137.49 (2018 high). Decisive break there will open up the possibility that it’s indeed resuming the up trend from 94.11 (2012 low).

Economic Indicators Update