Yen Falls as BOJ Updates Policy, Fed Rate Decision Now in Focus

Talking Points:

• Yen gains, then falls as BOJ adjusts parameters for stimulus delivery


• Fed monetary policy announcement to keep volatility elevated ahead


• US Dollar may rise as FOMC sets the stage for December rate hike

The Japanese Yen fell as the Bank of Japan introduced an updated QQE stimulus effort with new parameters aimed at controlling the yield curve. The currency briefly rose on news that the central bank opted to keep the target interest rate as well as the pace of asset purchases unchanged but the move was swiftly overturned as details on the new regime crossed the wires.

Policymakers pledged to grow the monetary base until inflation is stable above 2 percent, scrapping the maturity target for JGB holdings and promising to keep 10-year rates around current levels. They added that additional stimulus including a possible further cut of the short-term policy rate and/or the long-term target will be considered as needed.

BOJ members voted 7-2 on the updated guidelines for asset purchases and 8-1 on the commitment to overshoot the inflation target. Commenting on economic conditions, officials said deflation has ended but the influence of oil prices, the sales tax and overseas factors will keep price growth subdued for the time being.

All eyes are on the FOMC policy announcement from here. Financial markets price in the probability of a rate hike at 22 percent, suggesting that relatively few investors will be surprised if Federal Reserve officials opt for the status quo this time around. This will shift the spotlight toan updated set of economic and rate-path forecasts as well as a press conference with Fed Chair Janet Yellen.

Comments from most US central bank officials including Yellen and Vice Chair Fischer have struck an increasingly hawkish tone over the past month, telegraphing an intention to resume stimulus withdrawal. At the same time, policymakers have clearly shied away from tightening either against a backdrop of risk aversion or in an environment where their actions may significantly sour sentiment.

This means the Fed’s tone is likely to be cautiously but unmistakably hawkish, pushing markets toward firmer bets on a December hike. This will be meant to reduce surprise risk, smoothing volatility when the increase occurs. Coupling this with a downgrade of the projected rate hike path may help limit fallout this time around and maintain flexibility to adjust perceptions at the November meeting.

The US Dollar is likely to trade broadly higher against its counterparts in this scenario. The yield-sensitive Australian Dollar may suffer outsized losses relative to other major currencies. The New Zealand Dollar might be more reserved however as markets wait for the RBNZ rate decision before taking bets in earnest.

Are retail traders buying or selling the US Dollar before the FOMC rate decision? Find out here!

Asia Session

GMT	CCY	EVENT	ACT	EXP	PREV
22:45	NZD	Net Migration SA (AUG)	5600	-	5610
23:50	JPY	Trade Balance (AUG)	-¥18.7b	¥191.0b	¥513.5b
23:50	JPY	Trade Balance Adjusted (AUG)	¥340.0b	¥494.0b	¥317.6b
23:50	JPY	Exports (YoY) (AUG)	-9.6%	-4.7%	-14.0%
23:50	JPY	Imports (YoY) (AUG)	-17.3%	-16.6%	-24.7%
00:30	AUD	Westpac Leading Index (MoM) (AUG)	0.00%	-	0.08%
01:00	AUD	Skilled Vacancies (MoM) (AUG)	-0.4%	-	-0.3%
02:00	AUD	RBA's Heath Speaks at CEDA Conference	-	-	-
03:00	NZD	Credit Card Spending (MoM) (AUG)	-1.4%	-	2.4%
03:00	NZD	Credit Card Spending (YoY) (AUG)	1.9%	-	5.6%
04:18	JPY	BOJ Policy Rate	-0.10%		-0.10%
05:00	JPY	Supermarket Sales (YoY) (AUG)	-2.9%	-	0.2%
06:00	JPY	Machine Tool Orders (YoY) (AUG F)		-	-8.4%
06:00	JPY	Nationwide Dept Sales (YoY) (AUG)		-	-0.1%
06:00	JPY	Tokyo Dept Store Sales (YoY) (AUG)		-	0.6%
06:30	JPY	BOJ’s Kuroda Holds A Press Conference	-	-	-

European Session

GMT		CCY	EVENT	EXP	PREV	IMPACT
07:00	CHF		M3 Money Supply (YoY) (AUG)	-	2.7%	Low
08:30	GBP		Public Finances (PSNCR) (AUG)	-	-2.1b	Low
08:30	GBP		Central Government NCR (AUG)	-	3.6b	Low
08:30	GBP		Public Sector Net Borrowing (AUG)	10.3b	-1.5b	Low
08:30	GBP		PSNB ex Banking Groups (AUG)	10.2b	-1.0b	Low

Critical Levels

CCY	Supp 3	Supp 2	Supp 1	Pivot Point	Res 1	Res 2	Res 3
EUR/USD	1.1045	1.1108	1.1130	1.1171	1.1193	1.1234	1.1297
GBP/USD	1.2764	1.2882	1.2935	1.3000	1.3053	1.3118	1.3236

--- Written by Ilya Spivak, Currency Strategist for DailyFX.com

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Yen Falls as BOJ Updates Policy, Fed Rate Decision Now in Focus
Yen Falls as BOJ Updates Policy, Fed Rate Decision Now in Focus
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