After the JPY had depreciated to a 40-year low against the USD, the Bank of Japan has been pushing back against further weakness via interventions since last Thursday, partly in coordination with the US Federal Reserve. Since then, the JPY has appreciated noticeably.
In the following Viewpoint FX, we examine how sustainable this recovery is likely to be and whether the recent moves in foreign exchange markets could also generate spillover effects in equity markets.
Key takeaways:
- After the JPY fell to a 40-year low in July, the Bank of Japan intervened in currency markets last Thursday (July 30) to curb further depreciation.
- A repeat of the abrupt August 2024 carry-trade unwind appears unlikely as further BoJ tightening is largely priced in. Unless short-term interest rate differentials narrow sharply, market spillovers should remain contained, while strong earnings are supporting Japanese equities.
- For now, the JPY could trade at around USD/JPY 155–160. The JPY’s future trajectory will now largely depend on how central banks respond to evolving economic and market conditions.