GBP/JPY backslides as Pound Sterling softens, UK data comes in mixed

GBP/JPY slips back on Friday as Japanese Yen sees broad but light recovery.
Markets are pivoting back into the Yen as UK data hits and misses.
Up next: UK labor and wages figures next Tuesday, UK CPI Wednesday.

The GBP/JPY backslid on Friday, slipping back from the week’s peak bids near 186.17 as the Pound Sterling (GBP) broadly softens and markets bid up the Japanese Yen (JPY). 

Japan’s Current Account grew less than expected early Friday, printing growth of     ¥1,925.6 billion in net exports and imports through November, missing the market forecast of ¥2,385.1 billion and falling away unexpectedly from October’s ¥2,582.8 billion.

UK Manufacturing & Industrial Production mixed at multiple levels on Friday, with MoM Manufacturing Production rising slightly more than expected in November but missing annualized forecasts, while YoY Industrial Production contracted. UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) came in better than expected, printing a 0.3% uptick in November versus the forecast 0.2% and rebounding from the previous month’s 0.3% contraction.

Japanese wages stunned markets with a steeper contraction in earnings this week, with real wages (Labor Cash Earnings growth less inflation) declining by 3% for the year ended November. Labor Cash Earnings also missed forecasts, printing a nearly-flat 0.2% against the market’s expected steady reading of 1.5%.

The UK’s BRC Like-For-Like Retail Sales also missed the mark earlier in the week, showing similar-product Retail Sales grew by 1.9% for the year ended December, below the previous period’s 2.6%.

Despite Friday’s pullback for the GBP and moderate rebound in the JPY, the Pound Sterling remains in the green across the board of major currencies for the week, while the Yen remains mixed from Monday’s opening bids as the market heads into the closing bell for Friday.

GBP/JPY Technical Outlook

The GBP/JPY has softened back towards the 184.50 level on Friday, easing back from the week’s peak bids near 186.15 set on Thursday. The pair has gained steadily in 2024 trading and despite Friday’s soft pullback remains up 3.3% from January’s early bottom bids near 178.75.

January’s swing low saw the GBP/JPY take a firm bounce from the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) just below the 180.00 handle, and the pair remains firmly entrenched in a rough consolidation range on the daily candlesticks.

The Guppy has traded closely with the 50-day SMA since the current consolidation pattern began in late July, and the near-term target for bidders will be successfully cracking the hard technical barrier baked in near 188.00.

GBP/JPY Hourly Chart

GBP/JPY Daily Chart

GBP/JPY Technical Levels

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : FXStreet – https://www.fxstreet.com/news/gbp-jpy-backslides-as-pound-sterling-softens-uk-data-comes-in-mixed-202401121826