USD/JPY's pull back got as far as 153.72 on Monday. We track near 154.45/50 in early Tuesday dealings, after yen rose nearly 1% for Monday's session, comfortably the best G10 FX performer. Equity risk off, led by US tech plays, amid fresh AI competition from China, saw yen and the Swiss franc outperform in the G10 FX space.
- For USD/JPY technicals, the pair closed Monday trade below its 50-day EMA, which intersects today at 155.15. This would represent the first close below this average since December 09 and is a meaningful bearish development technically. This paves the way for an extension towards 152.55, a Fibonacci retracement point, and 151.81, the Dec 12 low.
- The Nasdaq lost just over 3%, the SPX down close to 1.5%. The US VIX index spiked to 22.51%, but finished up under 18%. US yields plunged amid the flight to safety, off around 7-9bps across the Tsy curve.
- Focus today will remain tech related equity fallout, although a number of Asian markets, including China, are closed for LNY celebrations.
- Locally on the data calendar today we have the Dec PPI services print. The market expects a 3.2%y/y outcome (prior was 3.0%). Later on, machine tool orders come out.