The US Dollar (USD) extended downside movement against the Japanese Yen (JPY) on Friday, dragging the price of USDJPY to less than 113.20 following the release of some key economic data from the United States during yesterday’s New York session.

Technical Analysis

As of this writing, the pair is being traded around 113.07. A support may be noted near 112.70, the intraday low of today ahead of 110.96-111.00 which is the confluence of psychological number as well as swing low of the last major downside movement as shown in our daily chart.

On the upside, the pair is likely to face a hurdle near 113.48, the 23.6% fib level ahead of 114.86, the swing high of the last major upside rally and then 115.00, the psychological number. The technical bias will however remain bearish in the long run as long as the 114.86 resistance area is intact.

US Jobless Claims

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, pointing to labor market strength that could keep Federal Reserve interest rate hikes on the table this year. A separate report from the Philadelphia Federal Reserve suggested business activity in the U.S. mid-Atlantic region improved slightly, but were still struggling. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits decreased 7,000 to a seasonally adjusted 262,000 for the week ended Feb. 13, the lowest reading since November, the Labor Department said on Thursday. The prior week’s claims were unrevised. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims rising to 275,000 in the latest week.

Trade Idea

Considering the overall technical and fundamental outlook, buying the pair around current levels appears to be a good strategy in short to medium term if we get a valid bullish reversal candle on the daily chart.

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