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On March 8th, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Saudi Arabia has informed Iran that while it supports a diplomatic solution to the conflict between Iran and the United States, it may take appropriate measures in response if Iran continues to attack Saudi Arabia and its energy sector. The sources revealed that two days prior, the Saudi Foreign Minister met with the Iranian Foreign Minister and clearly articulated Riyadhs position. The sources indicated that Saudi Arabia is willing to accept any mediation approach aimed at de-escalating the situation and reaching a solution through negotiations. They also emphasized that Riyadh and other Gulf states have never allowed the United States to use their airspace or territory to launch airstrikes against Iran.On March 8th, local time, on the evening of the 7th, Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesman Naini stated that in the first week after the outbreak of the conflict, the Iranian armed forces implemented a multi-layered offensive strategy. Statistics show that Iran conducted 600 missile strikes, using various types of solid and liquid-fueled ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. In addition, Iran conducted 2,600 drone operations. During these operations, more than 200 sensitive targets located at US military bases and key Israeli facilities were precisely targeted and destroyed. Naini emphasized that the scale of Iranian firepower projection in the first three days of the conflict was equivalent to the total firepower deployed during the entire "12-Day War." Naini also stated that 17 ships belonging to the United States, Israel, and their allies have been attacked.Local news agencies, citing sources from Irans oil ministry, reported that fuel depots in three regions, including Karaj, west of the capital Tehran, were attacked.Irans Supreme National Security Council Secretary Larijani: The United States is already mired in its own miscalculation.Irans Supreme National Security Council Secretary Larijani: Regional countries have realized that the United States can no longer guarantee their security.

Even as the BoJ vs. Fed Difference Remains in the Spotlight, USD/JPY Tracks Below 134.00 on Lackluster Yields

Alina Haynes

Apr 17, 2023 14:02

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As Monday begins in Tokyo, USD/JPY falls from its intraday high and stabilizes around 133.80. As a consequence, the Yen pair is unable to extend its previous day's gains due to lax market conditions preceding this week's key data/events. In addition to a paucity of significant data or events, USD/JPY traders have recently struggled with inconsistent triggers and sluggish returns.

 

The previous day, USD/JPY reached its highest level in a week as primarily positive US data dampened expectations for a policy shift and rate cut by the Federal Reserve (Fed) in 2023. Despite this, US retail sales decreased by 1.0% in March compared to the predicted -0.4% decline and February's -0.2% decline. As opposed to the 0.2% market consensus and previous reading, Industrial Production increased by 0.4% in the month in question. The preliminary result of the University of Michigan's (UoM) Consumer Confidence Index for April, which increased to 63.5 from 62.0 analysts' expectations and previous readings, was also encouraging. In addition, inflation forecasts for the next year increased from 3.6% in March to 4.6% in April, while inflation forecasts for the next five years decreased by 2.9% during the same month.

 

Previously, the USD/JPY pair increased due to hawkish Fed discussions. In an interview with Reuters on Friday, Raphael Bostic, president of the Atlanta Federal Reserve (Fed), stated that "recent developments are consistent with one more rate hike." According to Reuters, Fed Governor Christopher Waller discussed this topic and stated that additional rate hikes are necessary because the Fed has not made significant progress toward its inflation objective. In an interview with CNBC on Friday, Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, stated that he still needs to examine the statistics. The lawmaker said, "However, let's keep in mind that we've raised a lot of money; some of the delay may be reflected in today's retail sales number."

 

In contrast, the USD/JPY pair was able to maintain its strength due to the new Governor of the Bank of Japan (BoJ), Kazuo Ueda, who supports the Japanese central bank's easy-money policy.

 

Recent geopolitical tensions between China and the United States over Taiwan, as well as China's desire to collaborate with Russia to enhance regional and global security, have weighed on the USD/JPY pair and agitated the market.

 

S&P 500 Futures struggle to find a clear direction amidst these wagers following Wall Street's pessimistic close, as bond yields remain neutral despite weekly gains.

 

The preliminary readings of the US PMIs for April and the Japanese National Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March will be crucial to monitor going forward. The previously mentioned risk factors and central banker comments are also significant.