The Japanese yen weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Monday, as Japanese stock market traded higher, adding to the gains in the previous session, with gains across most sectors lead by index heavyweights and technology stocks.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is moving to a tad shy of the 39,000 level for the first time since late July, following the broadly positive cues from Wall Street on Friday.
Traders remain optimistic over the outlook for interest rates after a report showing U.S. consumer prices increased in line with estimates in July, while the annual rate of price growth was unexpectedly flat.
While the U.S. data has reinforced expectations of an interest rate cut by the Fed this month, traders expressed uncertainty about the pace of rate cuts, leading to some volatility in the markets.
According to CME Groups FedWatch Tool, there is a 69.5 percent chance of a quarter-point rate cut next month and a 30.5 percent chance of a half-point rate cut.
In economic news, the manufacturing sector in Japan continued to contract in August, albeit at a slower rate, the latest survey from Jibun Bank revealed on Monday with a manufacturing PMI score of 49.8. Thats up from 49.1 in July, although it remains beneath the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.
In the Asian trading today, the yen fell to a 6-day low of 161.84 against the euro, a 1-month low of 192.37 against the pound and a 4-day low of 172.24 against the Swiss franc, from last weeks closing quotes of 161.50, 191.89 and , respectively. If the yen extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 165.00 against the euro, 197.00 against the pound and 175.00 against the franc.
Against the Australia and the New Zealand dollars, the yen slipped to 1-month low of 99.19 and 91.52 from last weeks closing quotes of 98.89 and 91.37, respectively. The yen may test suppoprt near 102.00 against the aussie and 93.00 against the kiwi.
Against the U.S. and the Canadian dollars, the yen slipped to nearly a 2-week low of 146.55 and more than a 2-week low of 108.62 from Fridays closing quotes of 146.16 and 108.33, respectively. On the downside, 151.00 against the greenback and 111.00 against the loonie are seen as the next support levels for the yen.
Looking ahead, manufacturing PMI results from various European economies and U.K. for August are slated for release in the European session.
U.S. and Canada markets are closed in account of Labor Day holiday.