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☆ Asian stocks stutter ahead of Fed, frail yen in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Passersby are reflected on an electric stock quotation board outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan April 18, 2023. "Once again market players have been left frustrated by the lack of urgency shown by the BOJ, and either closed yen longs or flipped into outright yen shorts." The yen strengthened 0.27% to 151.26 per dollar following the comments but remained close to one-year lows of 151.74 it touched on Tuesday. FED AWAITSOvernight, Wall Street's main indexes ended higher, with investors looking ahead to the Fed policy decision later in the day, when the central bank is expected to stand pat on interest rates. Oil prices inched higher ahead of the Fed decision, with the market keeping a close eye on the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Persons: Issei Kato, HSI, Chris Weston, Masato Kanda, Jerome Powell, Erik Weisman, Powell, Sterling, Brent, Ankur Banerjee, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Federal Reserve, Japan's Nikkei, China, Bank of, ING, Traders, MFS Investment Management, Treasury, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Rights SINGAPORE, Asia, Pacific, Israel

☆ Morning Bid: Fed, financing and jobs greet November
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Despite the U.S. Treasury forecasting a lower fourth-quarter borrowing need than previously flagged, the tension in the bond market remains ahead of its detailed future refinancing plans due later on Wednesday. With the Federal Reserve widely expected to hold policy rates steady again on Wednesday, the Treasury plans may end up getting more bond market attention. But U.S. consumer confidence has softened, oil prices are falling again and the overseas demand picture is weakening. Another heavy day of U.S. corporate earnings is topped by big insurers and the likes of PayPal and Kraft Heinz. On Tuesday, shares in heavy-machinery maker Caterpillar (CAT.N) sank almost 7% as signs of slowing demand overshadowed a quarterly earnings beat.

Persons: Mike Dolan, Masato Kanda, it's, Japan's, China Evergrande, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Kraft Heinz, Estee Lauder, Kraft, Ingersoll Rand, Nick Macfie Organizations: Wednesday's, Bank of Japan, Japan's Nikkei, Japan, U.S, U.S . Treasury, Federal Reserve, Treasury, HK, White House, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, Wall, PayPal, Kraft, Caterpillar, Edison, AIG, Prudential Financial, MetLife, Qualcomm, Mckesson, Kraft Heinz, Allstate, Congnizant, Boston Properties, Water, Garmin, CVS, Brands, Humana, Reuters Graphics Reuters, US National Retail Federation, Thomson, Reuters Locations: U.S, United States, China, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Tokyo, Marathon, Boston

☆ Morning Bid: Yen hangs under intervention cloud
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Banknotes of Japanese yen are seen in this illustration picture taken September 23, 2022. As Europe wakes up, the yen is not far off the one-year low of 151.74 hit this week and the three-decade low of 151.94 touched last year, which triggered an intervention by Tokyo at the time. The broad yen sell-off on Tuesday came a day after the BOJ watered down its 1% yield cap on the 10-year bond. How hard the BOJ defends the so-called 1% reference will be the key question traders ask in coming days. With little on Europe's economic calendar, investors are likely to keep the focus on the Fed and yen.

Persons: Florence Lo, Ankur Banerjee, Masato Kanda, ramping, Jerome Powell, Powell, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Ankur, Fed, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, PMI, Nationwide, GSK, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, United States

☆ Japan on standby to deal with 'one-sided' yen moves - top FX diplomat
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Takaya Yamaguchi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Issei Kato Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Japan's top currency diplomat Masato Kanda said on Wednesday authorities were on standby to respond to recent "one-sided, sharp" moves in the yen, escalating his warning to investors against pushing down the currency too much. "Speculative trading seems to be the biggest factor behind recent currency moves," Kanda, vice finance minister for international affairs, told reporters on the yen's declines. The situation surrounding yen moves has become "more tense" than before, he said, adding that authorities will "respond appropriately without ruling out any options". After sliding to 151.715 against the dollar overnight on Tuesday, the yen stood at 151.350 in Asia on Wednesday. It intervened again in October 2022 after the yen plunged to a 32-year low of 151.94.

Persons: Masato Kanda, Issei Kato, Kanda, Takaya Yamaguchi, Satoshi Sugiyama, Leika Kihara, Sam Holmes Organizations: Reuters, Finance Ministry, REUTERS, Rights, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia

☆ Dollar mixed vs major peers; pounds slips, yen briefly jumps
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Samuel Indyk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Central banks are not trying to hit the CPI targets in the near term," said Colin Asher, senior economist at Mizuho. The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six peers, fell 0.1% to 106.13, after dropping 0.4% on Monday. Fed officials will enter into a blackout period on Oct. 21 before the central bank's Oct. 31–Nov. Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Patrick Harker said on Monday the central bank should not create new pressure on the economy by increasing the cost of borrowing. Australia's central bank considered raising rates at its recent policy meeting but judged there was not enough new information to warrant a move, minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia's Oct. 3 policy meeting showed.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Colin Asher, Asher, Masato Kanda, Valentin Marinov, Marinov, Jerome Powell, Patrick Harker, Sterling, Samuel Indyk, Ankur Banerjee, Shri Navaratnam, Kim Coghill, Gareth Jones Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Bank of Japan, Mizuho, CPI, Swiss, CIB, Federal, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Bank of England, New Zealand, Reserve Bank of Australia's, Thomson Locations: Australia's, London, Singapore

☆ Dollar drifts as investors eye Powell speech, yen wobbles near intervention zone
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The yen was pinned close to the key 150 per dollar level, keeping traders on edge for any signs of intervention by the Japanese authorities. The yen last fetched 149.62 per dollar, having slipped to 150.17 on Oct. 3, the weakest in a year, before getting some relief in a brief rally. The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six rivals, eased 0.038% to 106.20, after dropping 0.36% on Monday. Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Patrick Harker said on Monday the central bank should not create new pressures in the economy by increasing the cost of borrowing. Christopher Wong, currency strategist at OCBC, said the dollar is likely caught in a range for now.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Powell, Masato Kanda, Israel's shekel, Charu, Jerome Powell, Patrick Harker, Harker, Christopher Wong, Wong, Ankur Banerjee, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S ., Swiss, Palestinian, Hamas, Saxo, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Reserve Bank of Australia's, News Zealand, Thomson Locations: Rights SINGAPORE, East, Singapore, Australia's

Japan's vice minister of finance for international affairs, Masato Kanda, poses for a photograph during an interview with Reuters at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo, Japan January 31, 2022. Masato Kanda, vice finance minister for international affairs at Japan's Ministry of Finance (MOF), also said that if excessive moves occurred in the currency market, the government would take steps such as raising interest rates or intervening in the market. "We will firmly take appropriate steps when necessary," Kanda told reporters during an ad hoc news conference. Various factors determine currency rates and long-term interest rates are "only one factor", Kanda said. "Relatively speaking, global funds are still flowing into the dollar, yen and Swiss franc and pound, with many people describing the moves as 'textbook-style' moves," he said, referring to safe-haven flows.

Persons: Masato Kanda, Issei Kato, Kanda, Tetsushi, Toby Chopra, Mark Potter Organizations: Reuters, Finance Ministry, REUTERS, Rights, Swiss, Japan's Ministry of Finance, International Monetary Fund, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Israel, Palestinian

☆ Safe-haven dollar steady near one-week high on Middle East conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Joice Alves | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - The dollar held near a one-week high on Monday with fragile sentiment against a backdrop of conflict in the Middle East supporting demand for the safe-haven currency. "The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues and is providing volatility to the financial markets with the traditional safe-haven flows. There was some respite for the euro and sterling, which were off one-week lows touched on Friday against the dollar. YEN WATCHINGThe yen was flat at 149.54 per dollar, close to the sensitive 150-level. The yen is still perceived as a safe asset along with the Swiss franc and U.S. dollar, Kanda added.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Jerome Powell, Jens Peter Sørensen, Benjamin Netanyahu, Poland's zloty, Lukazs Janczak, Christopher Luxon, Masato Kanda, Kanda, James Malcolm, Joice Alves, Rae Wee, Vidya Ranganathan, Kirsten Donovan, Emelia Organizations: REUTERS, Federal, Hamas, Danske Bank, country's, Sterling, Erste Group, National Party, ACT, New Zealand, Swiss, ., UBS, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Israeli, Poland, New, London

☆ Japan likely won't intervene to reverse yen downtrend, ex-top currency diplomat says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

There is no set rule or shared agreement among G7 advanced nations on what kind of currency moves are defined as "excess volatility" that justify intervention, Shinohara said. "But usually, when you talk about excess volatility you have in mind a timeframe of several days or weeks," rather than several months, he said in an interview on Friday. The remarks contrast with those of incumbent top currency diplomat Masato Kanda, who said on Wednesday that steady yen falls over a protracted period could also warrant intervention. G7 and G20 major economies have a shared understanding that currency moves ought to reflect economic fundamentals, and that excess volatility was undesirable. In Japan, the finance ministry has jurisdiction over currency policy and decides whether and when to intervene.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Naoyuki Shinohara, Shinohara, Masato Kanda, Leika Kihara, Kim Coghill Organizations: National Printing Bureau, Bank of Japan, REUTERS, Reuters, International Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, Asia

☆ Many factors to consider if FX moves are 'excessive' -Japan finmin
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki speaks during the presidency press conference at the G7 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors, at Toki Messe in Niigata, Japan, Saturday, May 13, 2023. Shuji Kajiyama/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Friday there were many factors to consider in determining whether moves in the foreign exchange market were "excessive", adding that there were no changes in how the government would deal with them. Investors often think excessive volatility can be measured over a period of one day or so. "There's no change in the government stance," Suzuki said, when asked about intervention and what defines an excessive move. The minister added that authorities should make a comprehensive judgment on what constitute excessive moves, taking various factors into account.

Persons: Shunichi Suzuki, Shuji, Masato Kanda, Suzuki, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Satoshi Sugiyama, Jacqueline Wong, Jamie Freed Organizations: Toki, Rights, Japanese Finance, Thomson Locations: Niigata, Japan

☆ Japan's re-defined intervention trigger may slow, but not derail, yen bears
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] A man looks at an electric monitor displaying the Japanese yen exchange rate against the U.S. dollar and Nikkei share average outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan October 4, 2023. While money flow data suggest there was no intervention, the price action was enough to keep yen bears at bay. Rather, the remarks by Kanda were likely a fresh warning shot to markets that authorities could step in any time - even if yen moves were moderate, they say. Intervention isn't the best tool to arrest steady yen declines anyway, said former currency diplomat Hiroshi Watanabe. "There's no point intervening when yen moves are gradual," Watanabe told Reuters.

Persons: Issei Kato, Masato Kanda, that's, Kanda, Tokyo's, Atsushi Takeuchi, They're, Daisaku Ueno, Mitsubishi UFJ, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley, Hiroshi Watanabe, Watanabe, Leika Kihara, Tetsushi, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: U.S ., Nikkei, REUTERS, Tokyo, Authorities, Bank of, U.S . Federal Reserve, Treasury, Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, United States

☆ Yen cowers near 150 as intervention chatter runs rife
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] Japanese yen and U.S. dollar banknotes are seen with a currency exchange rate graph in this illustration picture taken June 16, 2022. Japanese authorities last year intervened to prop up the yen for the first time since 1998. Other currencies similarly fell against the yen in the previous session, with the euro losing more than 1.5% to a low of 154.39 yen. Sterling edged 0.03% lower to $1.20745, languishing near the previous session's close to seven-month low of $1.20535. Meanwhile, Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester said she is open to raising interest rates again.

Persons: Florence Lo, James Malcolm, Masato Kanda, Janet Yellen, Rodrigo Catril, Raphael Bostic, Loretta Mester, Rae Wee, Sam Holmes Organizations: U.S, REUTERS, Rights, UBS, Tokyo, Treasury, Sterling, National Australia Bank, Atlanta Fed, Cleveland Fed, New Zealand, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Thomson Locations: Rights SINGAPORE, Asia, Washington, Japan

☆ Yen cowers near 150 as Japanese intervention chatter runs rife
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Japanese yen and U.S. dollar banknotes are seen with a currency exchange rate graph in this illustration picture taken June 16, 2022. Japanese authorities last year intervened to prop up the yen for the first time since 1998. Other currencies similarly fell against the yen in the previous session, with the euro losing more than 1.5% to a low of 154.39 yen. The Aussie stood at 94.03 yen , after having fallen to an over one-month low of 93.16 yen on Tuesday. Sterling edged 0.02% lower to $1.2076, languishing near the previous session's close to seven-month low of $1.20535.

Persons: Florence Lo, James Malcolm, Shunichi Suzuki, Masato Kanda, Janet Yellen, Rodrigo Catril, Raphael Bostic, Loretta Mester, Rae Wee, Sam Holmes, Stephen Coates Organizations: U.S, REUTERS, Rights, UBS, Japanese Finance, Tokyo, Treasury, New Zealand, Sterling, National Australia Bank, Atlanta Fed, Cleveland Fed, Thomson Locations: Rights SINGAPORE, Asia, Washington, Japan

☆ Fragile yen is flat as intervention talk in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The index, however, remained within striking distance of a nearly 11-month high of 107.34 reached in the previous session. The Japanese currency was last flat at 149.06 per dollar, after unexpectedly surging nearly 2% at one point on Tuesday to 147.30, its strongest level in three weeks. The Bank of Japan's money market data showed on Wednesday that Japan likely did not intervene in the currency market a day earlier. Sterling climbed 0.3% to $1.2112, rebounding after falling to a nearly seven-month low of $1.20535 in the previous session. The decision sent the kiwi sliding more than 0.2% to a nearly one-month low of US$0.5871.

Persons: Helen, Masato Kanda, James Malcolm, Sterling Organizations: U.S ., ADP, U.S, Monex USA, Tokyo, Analysts, UBS, Federal Reserve, greenback, New Zealand Locations: U.S, Washington, Japan

☆ Japan warns it will take 'appropriate' steps on excessive yen falls
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Japan will take appropriate steps against excessive moves in the yen "without ruling out any options", Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Wednesday, keeping markets on alert over the chance of yen-buying intervention. Suzuki told reporters he would not comment on whether Tokyo intervened in the exchange rate market overnight to prop up the yen. Japan's top currency diplomat Masato Kanda told reporters early on Wednesday that authorities were looking at various factors, including implied volatility, in determining whether yen moves were excessive. He declined to comment on whether the overnight yen moves were excessive. He added that Japan was acting in accordance with an agreement with its G7 and G20 partners, which includes a commitment to the stance that excessive exchange rate moves are undesirable.

Persons: Shunichi Suzuki, Suzuki, Masato Kanda, that's, Kanda, Fumio Kishida, Yoshimasa Maruyama Organizations: Tokyo Stock Exchange, Tokyo, Bank of Japan, Nikko Securities Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia

☆ Japan warns against post-Fed yen slide
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

An undated photographic illustration of Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar bank notes. Japan won't rule out any options in addressing excess volatility in currency markets, the government's top spokesperson said on Thursday, issuing a fresh warning against the yen's decline towards the psychologically important 150-mark per dollar. "It's important for currencies to move stably reflecting fundamentals," Matsuno told a regular briefing, when asked about the yen's recent declines. "The government will monitor currency market developments with a high sense of urgency, and respond appropriately without ruling out any options," he said. Matsuno's remarks echo those by top currency diplomat Masato Kanda, who told reporters on Wednesday the authorities "won't rule out any options if excessive moves persist."

Persons: Hirokazu Matsuno, Matsuno, Masato Kanda, Kanda, Janet Yellen Organizations: U.S, Bank of Japan, U.S . Federal Reserve, Treasury Locations: Japan, Tokyo, Washington

☆ Dollar higher as Fed skips rate hike but stiffens hawkish stance
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

As they did in June, Fed policymakers at the median still see the central bank's benchmark overnight interest rate peaking this year in the 5.50%-5.75% range, just a quarter of a percentage point above the current range. But from there, the Fed's updated quarterly projections show rates falling only half a percentage point in 2024 compared with the full percentage point of cuts anticipated at the meeting in June. Interest rate sensitive two-year Treasury yields hit 17-year highs on Wednesday after the Fed decision. "It looks as though the Fed is trying to send as hawkish a signal as it possibly can," said Gennadiny Goldberg, interest rate strategist at TD Securities. The yen was down 0.13% versus the greenback at 148.05 per dollar after the Fed decision.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Karl Schamotta, Schamotta, Jerome Powell, Gennadiny Goldberg, Dominic Bunning, BoE, Masato Kanda, Janet Yellen, bitcoin, Saqib Iqbal Ahmed, Herbert, Joice Alves, Brigid Riley, Marguerita Choy, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Federal Reserve, TD Securities, Bank of England, Reuters, FX Research, HSBC, Washington, Treasury, Thomson Locations: Toronto, Japan, U.S, New York, London, Tokyo

Yet in Europe, sterling came under pressure after data showed Britain's high inflation rate fell unexpectedly in August, prompting speculation that the Bank of England could pause its historic run of interest rate hikes as soon as Thursday. Two-year Treasury yields were down 3.5 basis points in London trade at 5.07%, having risen sharply on Tuesday, when five- and 10-year Treasury yields reached 16-year highs. World stock markets were edging higher ahead of the Fed rate decision. UK gilt yields fell sharply as investors slashed bets for a rate hike on Thursday, with two-year yields last down over 14 bps at 4.85% . "Combined with their recent dovish commentary, we now expect the MPC to keep Bank Rate unchanged tomorrow and lower our forecast for the terminal policy rate to 5.25%," Stehn and co. added.

Persons: DAX, Kai Pfaffenbach, Jerome Powell, Lee Hardman, Sterling underperformed, Goldman Sachs, Sven Jari Stehn, Stehn, Masato Kanda, Eugene Low, Dhara Ranasinghe, Samuel Indyk, Tom Westbrook, Toby Chopra, Chizu Organizations: REUTERS, Sterling, U.S, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Bank of England, Brent, Federal, Fed, Japan's Nikkei, MPC, Monetary, Bank of, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S, London, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Britain, Japan, Asia, Pacific, Hong Kong, China, Singapore

☆ Dollar edges down before Fed decision, sterling falls on cooling UK inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Joice Alves | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. dollar index , which measures the currency against a basket of rivals, was 0.1% lower at 105.00. The pound was volatile, last down 0.23% to $1.2364 after touching its lowest in almost four months following data showing UK inflation slowed more than expected in August. "This can drag GBP down, especially against the USD where pricing for rate cuts may already be overstretched". The yen flattened at 147.87 after touching a fresh 10-month weak-point against the dollar of 148.17 ahead of the Fed decision. The offshore yuan was unchanged at 7.3055 after China met market expectations by keeping its benchmark lending rates unchanged on Wednesday.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, BoE, Dominic Bunning, Bunning, Goldman Sachs, Powell, Elsa Lignos, Masato Kanda, Janet Yellen, Joice Alves, Brigid Riley, Gerry Doyle, Emelia Organizations: REUTERS, Federal Reserve, Bank of England, U.S, Reuters, FX Research, HSBC, FX, RBC Europe, Washington, Treasury, Bank of Japan's, Thomson Locations: Japan, U.S, China, London, Tokyo

☆ Stocks stalled as oil surge sets stage for longer US rate peak
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

But at $93.52 a barrel, prices remain up 30% in three months as Saudi Arabia and Russia reduce output. Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields had hit their highest since 2007 at 4.371% overnight and were last at 4.36%. The yen is down 11% on the dollar this year as expectations firm for U.S. rates to stay high and Japanese rates to stay low. The yen hit a 10-month trough of 147.95 to the dollar late last week and it traded at 147.85 on Wednesday. Rising yields have kept a lid on gold prices, with spot gold last trading at $1,929 an ounce.

Persons: Brent, Stocks, Jerome, Sam Rines, Powell presser, Masato Kanda, Eugene Low, Miral Fahmy, Jamie Freed Organizations: Federal Reserve, Brent, FTSE, Japan's Nikkei, Bank of, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Asia, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Pacific, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Texas, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Britain, U.S, Singapore, Australia, Argentina

☆ Dollar holds fast, yen in shaky territory ahead of FOMC
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Brigid Riley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. dollar index , which measures the greenback against a basket of rivals, stayed mostly flat at 105.17 as traders awaited the Fed's rate decision. Attention stayed fixed on the yen as U.S. and Japanese authorities heaped on fresh comments about the possibility of intervention. The yen last sat around 147.83 versus the greenback, off Tuesday's low of 147.92 though hovering near the 10-month trough against the dollar ahead of the FOMC announcement. Elsewhere in Asia, the offshore yuan was largely unchanged after China met market expectations by keeping its benchmark lending rates unchanged on Wednesday, but later ticked down 0.1% to 7.3103 per dollar. The Australian dollar , a proxy for China growth, fell nearly 0.1% in the Asian afternoon, while the New Zealand dollar was flat, down from Tuesday's two-week high against the dollar.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Carol Kong, Masato Kanda, Janet Yellen, Brigid Riley, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Federal Reserve, U.S, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Washington, Treasury, Bank of Japan's, New Zealand, Bank of England, bitcoin BTC, Thomson Locations: Japan, U.S, Asia, China, bitcoin

☆ Dollar firm but softens against yen ahead of FOMC
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Brigid Riley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Sept 20 (Reuters) - The dollar remained firm on Wednesday but softened slightly against the yen ahead of a much-anticipated rate decision by the Federal Reserve later in the day. The U.S. dollar index , which measures the greenback against a basket of rivals, stayed mostly flat at 105.13 as traders awaited the Fed's rate decision. Dollar/yen could see some upside pressure after a hawkish FOMC meeting, she added. The yen last sat nearly 0.1% higher at 147.77 versus the greenback, off Tuesday's low of 147.92 though hovering near the 10-month trough against the dollar ahead of the FOMC announcement. The New Zealand dollar ticked up over 0.2% against the dollar near $0.5950.

Persons: Carol Kong, Masato Kanda, Brigid Riley, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Federal Reserve, U.S, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bank of Japan's, Reserve Bank, Australia's, New Zealand, Bank of England, bitcoin BTC, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, China, bitcoin

☆ Japan's top currency diplomat says Tokyo in close contact with US on FX moves
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Japanese yen and U.S. dollar banknotes are seen with a currency exchange rate graph in this illustration picture taken June 16, 2022. Yellen said whether Washington would show understanding over another yen-buying intervention by Japan "depends on the details" of the situation. Last September, Japan conducted its first dollar-selling intervention to prop up the yen in 24 years as the dollar reached around 145 yen to the dollar. Authorities intervened twice in October as the dollar reached close to 152 yen. The Group of Seven (G7) nations require that member states inform their counterparts if they intervene in the currency market.

Persons: Florence Lo, Masato Kanda, Janet Yellen, Yellen, Kanda, Fumio, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Jacqueline Wong, Sam Holmes Organizations: U.S, REUTERS, Rights, Treasury, Authorities, Thomson Locations: Washington, Japan

☆ Japan's top currency diplomat says Tokyo in close contact with U.S. on FX moves
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A man walks past an electronic board showing the closing numbers on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Japanese yen rate versus the US dollar (R), along a street in Tokyo on May 1, 2023. Japanese authorities are always in close communication with U.S. counterparts on currencies and share a mutual understanding that excessive volatility is undesirable, Tokyo's top foreign exchange official said on Wednesday. Yellen said whether Washington would show understanding over another yen-buying intervention by Japan "depends on the details" of the situation. "We won't rule out any options if excessive moves persist," Kanda said. To help households cope with higher living costs, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government plans a supplementary budget for this fiscal year, which could aggravate the industrial world's heaviest debt burden.

Persons: Masato Kanda, Janet Yellen, Yellen, Kanda, Fumio Organizations: Tokyo Stock Exchange, U.S, Treasury Locations: Tokyo, Washington, Japan

☆ Stocks struggle as oil surge sets stage for hawkish Fed
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Higher energy costs led to a bigger-than-expected spike in Canadian inflation, overnight data showed, lifting the loonie and triggering selling in the Treasury market. Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields hit their highest since 2007 at 4.371% overnight and were last at 4.36%. The Fed meeting leads a week jammed with central bank meetings and data over the next few days. British inflation figures are due on Wednesday, followed by central bank meetings in Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Britain and Japan on Thursday. Rising yields have kept a lid on gold prices, with spot gold last trading at $1,929 an ounce.

Persons: Brent, presser, Jerome Powell's, Sam Rines, Powell presser, Masato Kanda, Kristina Clifton, Miral Organizations: Treasury, Federal Reserve, Brent, Nikkei, U.S, STERLING, OF CPI, Bank of, New Zealand, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bank of England, Thomson Locations: presser China, SINGAPORE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Texas, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Britain, U.S, China, Australia, Argentina

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