Analysis of Trades and Trading Tips for the Japanese Yen

The test of the 149.26 level occurred when the MACD indicator had just begun to move downward from the zero line, confirming a valid entry point for selling the dollar. As a result, the pair fell toward the target level of 148.69. Buying from that level on a rebound also allowed traders to take about 30 pips of profit from the market.

Today's news that Japan's Manufacturing PMI and Services PMI came in significantly worse than economists had forecast triggered a yen sell-off and a dollar strengthening. Investors reacted instantly to the weak economic data, fearing a slowdown in Japan's economic growth and, as a result, decreased demand for the yen. Another factor that increased pressure on the yen was the expectation that the Federal Reserve would maintain its hawkish monetary policy. Confidence in the stability of the U.S. economy, supported by recent macroeconomic data, is pushing investors toward dollar purchases, making it a more attractive asset. However, despite this, there is no longer a significant divergence in the monetary policies of Japan and the U.S. The Bank of Japan continues to lean toward raising interest rates, so the current dollar rally against the yen may end quickly — especially in light of hints from the Japanese central bank regarding further monetary tightening.

For intraday strategy, I will focus primarily on implementing Scenarios #1 and #2.

Buy Signal

Scenario #1: Today, I plan to buy USD/JPY upon reaching the entry point of around 149.95 (green line on the chart), with a target of 150.73 (thicker green line). Around 150.73, I intend to exit the long trade and open a sell position in the opposite direction, aiming for a 30–35 pip pullback. It's best to return to buying the pair on corrections and deep pullbacks in USD/JPY. Important! Before buying, ensure the MACD indicator is above the zero line and starting to rise.

Scenario #2: I also plan to buy USD/JPY today if there are two consecutive tests of the 149.42 level while the MACD indicator is in the oversold zone. This will limit the pair's downside potential and trigger an upward reversal. A move toward the opposite levels of 149.95 and 150.73 can be expected.

Sell Signal

Scenario #1: I plan to sell USD/JPY only after the 149.42 level (red line on the chart) is broken, leading to a sharp drop in the pair. The main target for sellers will be 148.76, where I intend to exit short positions and immediately open buy positions in the opposite direction, aiming for a 20–25 pip pullback. Downward pressure on the pair could return at any moment. Important! Before selling, make sure the MACD indicator is below the zero line and beginning to decline.

Scenario #2: I also plan to sell USD/JPY today in the event of two consecutive tests of the 149.95 level while the MACD indicator is in the overbought zone. This would limit the pair's upside potential and trigger a downward reversal. A move toward the opposite levels of 149.42 and 148.76 can be expected.

What's on the Chart:

• The thin green line represents the entry price where the trading instrument can be bought.
• The thick green line indicates the expected price level where a Take Profit order can be placed, or profits can be manually secured, as further price growth above this level is unlikely.
• The thin red line represents the entry price where the trading instrument can be sold.
• The thick red line indicates the expected price level where a Take Profit order can be placed, or profits can be manually secured, as further price decline below this level is unlikely.
• The MACD indicator should be used to assess overbought and oversold zones when entering the market.

Important Notes:

• Beginner Forex traders should exercise extreme caution when making market entry decisions. It is advisable to stay out of the market before the release of important fundamental reports to avoid exposure to sharp price fluctuations. If you choose to trade during news releases, always use stop-loss orders to minimize potential losses. Trading without stop-loss orders can quickly wipe out your entire deposit, especially if you neglect money management principles and trade with high volumes.
• Remember, successful trading requires a well-defined trading plan, similar to the one outlined above. Making impulsive trading decisions based on the current market situation is a losing strategy for intraday traders.