USD/JPY Continues Its Uptrend as Yen Weakens Further.USD/JPY rose to 158.61 on Friday, continuing its upward movement as the yen remains under pressure. Investors are adopting a wait-and-see approach ahead of the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) monetary policy decision.

Chart Alert: USD/JPY Plunging Below 158 on Suspected Inntervention, Watch 157.50 Support.Suspected FX intervention jolts USD/JPY: After briefly spiking above 159 following BoJ comments, USD/JPY plunged nearly 200 pips within minutes to ~157.30 with no data catalyst, strongly suggesting intervention or rate-checking by Japanese authorities.

Natural Gas Prices Surge as Cold Weather Approaches.According to AccuWeather, a powerful Arctic cold front is expected to sweep across the United States, reaching as far south as the southern states and bringing lower temperatures to more than 150 million people across 24 states.

UK PMI composite jumps to 21-month high, growth kicks up a gear but price pressures stir.UK business activity accelerated sharply in January, with PMI surveys pointing to the strongest momentum in nearly two years. Manufacturing PMI rose from 50.6 to 51.6, a 17-month high, while Services PMI jumped from 51.4 to 54.3, lifting Composite PMI from 51.4 to 53.9, its highest level in 21 months.

AUD/JPY Hits 2024 Highs: How Aussie-Yen Rally is Set to Dominate Carry Trade in 2026.AUD/JPY has just risen to its highest since mid-2024. We explore what awaits in the aftermath of BoJ's latest interest rate decision.

USD/JPY hits channel resistance near 159.45 – Société Générale.USD/JPY hits channel resistance near 159.45 – Société Générale

EUR: Europe's strategic autonomy may support the Euro – ING.EUR: Europe's strategic autonomy may support the Euro – ING

Eurozone PMI composite stalls at 51.5, ECB likely to stay put.Eurozone business activity showed little momentum at the start of 2026, with January PMI data pointing to a fragile and uneven recovery. Manufacturing PMI improved modestly from 48.8 to 49.4, but remained in contraction.

GBP/JPY retreats below 213.50 amid rumours of a Yen intervention.GBP/JPY retreats below 213.50 amid rumours of a Yen intervention

India rupee plummets to fresh record low, strong dollar demand weighs.The Indian rupee plunged to a fresh all-time low on Friday, as dollar demand from corporates and importers outweighed early moves and compounded existing pressure on the currency.

Germany HCOB Manufacturing PMI above expectations (48) in January: Actual (48.7).Germany HCOB Manufacturing PMI above expectations (48) in January: Actual (48.7)

Natural Gas and Oil Forecast: WTI at $60 and Gas at $4.80 Signal Breakout Setup – Move Incoming?.Oil and gas prices stabilize as geopolitical tensions shape supply risks, with WTI near $60 and natural gas consolidating after a sharp breakout above $4.80.

Yen Snaps Back on Intervention Signs, Japan Draws Line Near 160.Yen staged a sharp rebound in early European session on suspected intervention, interrupting a renewed bout of selling that followed the Bank of Japan policy decision. The bounce came after markets judged the BoJ's message insufficiently hawkish to arrest currency weakness.

EUR/JPY retreats below 186.00 as BoJ's Ueda speaks.EUR/JPY retreats below 186.00 as BoJ's Ueda speaks

Japanese Money Market Currently Fully Discount a Next BoJ Hike to 1% by June.Yesterday's risk rebound lifted key US and European stock indices by 0.5% to 1.25%. Changes on US and German bond markets were minimal, but the dollar faced a tough time.

BoJ holds rates, upgrades growth outlook, hawkish dissent keeps hike risk alive.The BoJ left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.75%, in line with expectations, but the decision revealed persistent internal debate. Hawkish board member Hajime Takata proposed a hike toward 1%, citing upside risks to inflation, though the motion was voted down by the majority.

France Business Climate in Manufacturing came in at 105, above expectations (101) in January.France Business Climate in Manufacturing came in at 105, above expectations (101) in January

Japan's CPI core falls to 2.4% with sharp energy drag, limited core-core cooling.Japan's December CPI report showed sharp moderation in headline inflation, largely reflecting energy relief rather than broad-based disinflation. Headline CPI slowed to 2.1% yoy from 2.9%, the weakest pace since early 2022.

Japan PMI composite jumps to 52.8, manufacturing returns to growth.Japan's January PMI readings delivered an upbeat signal, indicating a broadening recovery across the private sector, with PMI data pointing to the strongest expansion in 17 months. Manufacturing PMI rose from 50.0 to 51.1, returning to expansion.

Australia PMI composite surges to 55.0, manufacturing and services in solid expansion.Australia's business activity accelerated sharply in January, pointing to a strong start to 2026. PMI Manufacturing rose from 51.6 to 52.4, while PMI Services surged from 51.1 to 56.0.

NZ CPI pushes above target as RBNZ Breman's tone shifts.New Zealand inflation accelerated again. Headline CPI rose 3.1% yoy, up from 3.0% and above expectations of 3.0%, pushing inflation back above the RBNZ's 1–3% target band.

UK retail sales show unexpected increase in December.British retail sales rose by 0.4% in December from November, official figures showed on Friday.

Euro Area PMIs Cap an Eventful Week for Markets.In the euro area, flash PMIs for January are set for release. In December, both services and manufacturing PMIs declined but from levels that still suggest quite modest growth in the final quarter of the year.

USD/JPY Upside Resumes, Opening Door To Further Gains.Looking at the 4-hour chart, the pair climbed above 158.20 and the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the 159.45 swing high to the 157.42 low. The pair is now well above the 200 simple moving average (green, 4-hour) and the 100 simple moving average (red, 4-hour).

US Dollar Index remains below 98.50 due to risk aversion, S&P Global PMI eyed.US Dollar Index remains below 98.50 due to risk aversion, S&P Global PMI eyed

AUD/JPY Price Forecast: Strengthens above 108.50, RSI signals overbought conditions.AUD/JPY Price Forecast: Strengthens above 108.50, RSI signals overbought conditions

Heads up: BOJ governor Ueda press conference up next.The Bank of Japan (BOJ) left monetary policy unchanged earlier today in a 8-1 vote. The only dissenter was Takata once again as he proposed raising the policy rate to 1.00% instead.

Trump's Arctic pantomime chills the dollar.A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Tom Westbrook

India HSBC Composite PMI increased to 59.5 in January from previous 57.8.India HSBC Composite PMI increased to 59.5 in January from previous 57.8

USD/JPY: BOJ stands pat as language firms and Ueda looms.The Bank of Japan held policy steady in January, voting 8–1 to keep the overnight call rate around 0.75%, a decision fully expected by markets and economists. Takata was the sole dissenter, arguing that the price stability target had largely been achieved and that risks to prices were skewed to the upside, but with no support from other board members, the outcome was not read as hawkish.