According to UOB Group, the USD/JPY is expected to range between 146.50 and 148.60

    by VT Markets
    /
    May 13, 2025

    USD/JPY is expected to fluctuate within a 146.50 to 148.60 range. In the longer term, USD is likely to strengthen, although it might remain range-bound temporarily.

    The pair’s recent surge saw a 2.14% increase, marking the largest one-day gain since March 2020. Overbought conditions indicate USD might stabilize within the outlined range instead of continuing its climb.

    Short Term Market Movement

    In the 1-3 week outlook, USD has gained momentum, with strong resistance identified at 149.30. Conversely, robust support has increased from 143.90 to 146.00.

    These statements involve potential risks and should not guide trading decisions. Before making investment choices, conduct thorough research as there are risks, including potential total financial loss.

    That sharp spike in USD/JPY—up over 2% in a single session—wasn’t just a reaction, it was a meaningful burst, triggered largely by a change in expectations around interest rate differentials. More precisely, it appeared to be driven by shifts in yield spreads and the resilience of economic data out of the US. The magnitude of the move, the strongest since March 2020, suggests market participants were either caught off-guard or rushing to re-align their positions at the same time. Either way, it sets a baseline for what could develop if bullish conviction holds.

    However, it’s not all open skies from here. One-day rallies of that size can often lead to stretched short-term technical indicators—we’re not just talking about Relative Strength Index (RSI) but a broader sense of positioning froth. That’s why the range between 146.50 and 148.60 has become more relevant now than it has been over the past few weeks. It sets outer limits for near-term movement while market participants decide what comes next. Current behavior suggests the pair wants to consolidate those gains rather than extend higher immediately.

    Technical Indicators And Trading Strategy

    In the medium-term view, though, the upward trend remains intact, and levels are being reset. We’ve observed that support has quietly risen from 143.90 to 146.00, which isn’t just a number; it’s a shift in where dollar-buying interest is willing to step in. On the other end, resistance near 149.30 has acted like a ceiling traders are hesitant to test right now, especially following an overbought impulse move.

    What this tells us, tactically? Well, exaggerated moves like this usually require exhaling, which often translates into sideways action that stays within recently defined bands. For those operating in this space, that makes timing—for now—more important than direction. Volatility could drop, so pressing aggressive directional trades might leave you fighting the tape unless there’s a fresh catalyst, like a data release or a sudden shift in policy tone.

    From our perspective, we will focus on building around areas where risk can be clearly defined and managed tightly—namely near those support and resistance thresholds. Getting caught in the middle of this range often results in low-reward setups with an uneven payoff profile. Patience here isn’t just a virtue. It’s part of the playbook.

    Lastly, there’s plenty of commentary warning about risk—and rightly so. But rather than letting risk become an abstract concept, translate that into concrete adjustments. This isn’t the time to be over-leveraged or to chase expanded moves after the fact. Tighten the focus, reassess stops, and ensure trade structure is built with volatility normalization in mind. That’s how to stay exposed while limiting downside.

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