Yen resumes losses with eyes fixed on Fed
The yen fell in Asian trade on Tuesday on track for a loss against the US dollar after a two-day hiatus, while moving towards three-week lows once more, amid intensive US-Japan trade negotiations.
Later this week, an important Federal Reserve’s policy meeting is expected to provide clues on the path ahead for US interest rates.
The Price
The USD/JPY price rose 0.4% today to 144.27, with a session-low at 143.55.
The yen rose 0.9% on Monday against the dollar away from a three-week low at 145.92.
The yen was boosted by haven demand amid concerns about a US recession this year.
Trade Talks
The US refused to exempt Japan from the reciprocal 10% tariff in addition to the country-specific tariff of 14% according to latest sources.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Japanese negotiators the Trump administration might be willing to reduce the company-specific tariff as part of the negotiations.
Japan is seeking to remove the reciprocal tariffs completely, in addition to 25% tariffs on auto products, steel and aluminum.
Japan is one of the first countries that sought quick negotiations with the US on the tariff crisis.
The Fed
Today, the Federal Reserve will convene and discuss monetary policies, expected to hold interest rates unchanged.
The Fed’s monetary statement and Chair Powell’s subsequent press conference will likely provide clues on the path ahead for policies.
US President Donald Trump continued to pressure Powell to cut interest rates, however he said won’t fire him before the end of term in May 2026.
According to the Fedwatch tool, the odds of a Fed 0.25% rate cut in May stood at just 8%.
The odds of such a cut in June stood at a healthier 65%.
Cryptocurrencies tilt higher amid calm trading
Most cryptocurrencies rose on Monday amid mixed trading as traders await more news on the trade war, in addition to the Fed’s meeting.
The Federal Reserve’s policy meeting starts tomorrow, with the bank widely expected to hold interest rates flat despite Trump’s calls to cut rates.
Investors will assess Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks closely following the meeting to gauge the likely pace ahead of interest rate cuts this year.
Earlier US data showed the ISM services PMI up to 51.6 in April from 50.8 in March, while analysts expected a dip to 50.2.
Otherwise, Beijing finally hinted this week that it’s open for negotiations with Washington on trade, thus calming investor concerns about the trade war.
Ethereum
Ethereum fell 0.1% on Coinmarketcap as of 20:09 GMT to $1825.4.
Ripple
Ripple shed 0.4% as of 20:09 GMT on Coinmarketcap to $2.16.
US dollar inches down as trade tensions dampen
The US dollar fell against most major rivals on Monday, although mildly, as trade concerns calmed down with the markets now focused on the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting this week.
The Federal Reserve’s policy meeting starts tomorrow, with the bank widely expected to hold interest rates flat despite Trump’s calls to cut rates.
Investors will assess Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks closely following the meeting to gauge the likely pace ahead of interest rate cuts this year.
Earlier US data showed the ISM services PMI up to 51.6 in April from 50.8 in March, while analysts expected a dip to 50.2.
Otherwise, Beijing finally hinted this week that it’s open for negotiations with Washington on trade, thus calming investor concerns about the trade war.
On trading, the dollar index fell 0.1% to 99.9 as of 19:39 GMT, with a session-high at 100.05, and a low at 99.4.
Aussie
The Australian dollar rose 0.3% against its US counterpart to 0.6466.
Loonie
The Canadian dollar rose 0.1% against the greenback as of 19:55 GMT to 0.7239.
Wall Street declines as eyes fixed on Fed meeting
US stock indices fell on Monday as most tech companies released their quarterly results with focus now turning to the Fed’s meeting.
The Federal Reserve’s policy meeting starts tomorrow, with the bank widely expected to hold interest rates flat despite Trump’s calls to cut rates.
Investors will assess Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks closely following the meeting to gauge the likely pace ahead of interest rate cuts this year.
Otherwise, Beijing finally hinted this week that it’s open for negotiations with Washington on trade, thus calming investor concerns about the trade war.
On trading, Dow Jones edged 0.4% lower, or 25 points to 41,320 points, while S&P 500 declined 0.4%% to 5661 points, as NASDAQ slipped 0.6% to 17,868 points.