Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 18
Japan Faces Yen Intervention Watch as Hawkish Fed Drives Currency to Prior Trigger Levels
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 18

Japan Faces Yen Intervention Watch as Hawkish Fed Drives Currency to Prior Trigger Levels

3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 18

Summary

  • Strategists say markets are now on intervention watch after the yen fell to levels that previously drew action from Japan’s finance ministry.
  • The drop followed a hawkish Federal Reserve stance at Kevin Warsh’s debut meeting as governor, which pushed US yields higher and strengthened pressure on the yen.
  • Higher US yields are also weighing on Asian currencies more broadly and making it harder for regional central banks to cut rates without risking further weakness.
  • Tech shares in Asia are poised to fall in step with US peers as investors price in an earlier-than-expected rate hike.

Insights

Can Japan's massive currency interventions win a fight against the US Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate policy?
Is new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's hawkish debut curing inflation or risking a global currency war?