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The USD/JPY pair loses traction to around 150.95 during the early Asian session on Friday. The Japanese Yen (JPY) edges higher after the hotter-than-expected Japan’s Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation report for November.
Data released by the Statistics Bureau of Japan on Friday showed that the headline Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI) climbed by 2.6% YoY in November, compared to 1.8% in the previous month. Meanwhile, the Tokyo CPI ex Fresh Food, Energy rose by 2.2% YoY in November versus 1.8% prior. Tokyo CPI ex Fresh Food increased 2.2% YoY in November, compared to a 1.8% increase in October, and was above the market consensus of 2.1%.
The core CPI has stayed above the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) 2% target and kept alive market expectations for a near-term interest rate hike. This, in turn, boosts the JPY and creates a headwind for USD/JPY. BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda stated the Japanese central bank will keep raising rates if inflation remains on track to stably hit 2% as it projects.
On the other hand, Wednesday’s US PCE data indicated that the progress on lowering inflation appears to have stalled in recent months, which could diminish the expectation for the Federal Reserve (Fed) to cut interest rates in 2025. This might trigger a modest bounce in the US bond yields, which provides some support to the Greenback. The markets are now pricing in nearly 62.8% odds that the Fed will cut rates by a quarter point in December, up from 55.7% earlier this week, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.More By This Author:WTI Steadies Above $68.50 Amid Large Surprise Crude Draw GBP/USD Strengthens Above 1.2550 Ahead Of US PCE Inflation Data WTI Recovers Above $68.50 On A Large Surprise Crude Draw
