8 ARTICLES
The Japanese yen is hovering near 161 per dollar after touching a 40-year low, as rising bankruptcies, record-high government bond yields, and internal political divisions pile pressure on Japanese authorities.
Just five weeks after a massive Japanese currency intervention, the dollar is back at 160 yen. RBC Capital Markets is now recommending buying dollar dips – and believes market forces will continue to prevail.
Stronger-than-expected U.S. employment figures have prompted traders to price in a new rate hike from the Fed before the end of 2026 — sending risk appetite lower.
A strategist at SMBC Nikko Securities warns that Japan is one step away from a historic collapse in the yen, driven by a sustained oil shock and fiscal loosening. Finance Minister Katayama pledges action if necessary.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Anna Breman confirms that the official cash rate will be raised faster and more significantly than previously signaled, driven by the Middle East conflict and persistent inflation.
The US confirms Apache helicopters sank six Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz. Insurance premiums for transit have skyrocketed from 0.25% to 5% of vessel value — an increase of over 1,000% — while 150 vessels anchor or reroute. The RISK_OFF regime is in full effect.
US Dollar Index snudde opp fredag etter å ha testet to-ukers laveste nivå, drevet av ny uro rundt amerikanske tollsatser. Ukesresultatet forblir likevel negativt, og risikostemningen er preget av Fear & Greed-indeks på 26/100.
Japanske myndigheter grep inn i valutamarkedet to dager på rad etter at yen svekket seg forbi 160,00 mot dollar. USD/JPY falt til daglig bunn på 155,48 før paret stabiliserte seg rundt 156,67 — foreløpig flat på dagen.
APREX · EST. 2026
