USDJPY snapped a three-week uptrend as traders await Japan's Q4 GDP and the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) with mild losses by the end of Friday. While a U-turn from the 50-DMA played a major role in calling bears, the bulls aren’t off the table as the pair remains beyond the previous resistance line from late November, around 129.00. Even if the pair breaks the resistance-turned-support line, January’s bottom around 127.20 and May 2022 low near 126.35 will be crucial for the pair sellers to conquer before taking control. It’s worth noting that the RSI appears mostly steady and favors the trend line break out.
Alternatively, the 50-DMA surrounding 132.30 appears immediate hurdle to restrict the immediate USDJPY upside. Following that, January’s peak near 134.80 and the 200-DMA near 136.80 could act as additional challenges for the bulls to cross before approaching the driver’s seat. It should be observed that the 50% Fibonacci retracement level of the pair’s May-October 2022 upside, around 139.10, precedes the 140.00 round figure to act as the last defense of the pair bears.
Overall, USDJPY bears are less convinced ahead of the key data/events.
