Investing.com - The yen fell to its lowest level in three weeks against the dollar on Friday amid speculation that the Bank of Japan could step up monetary easing measures at its upcoming policy review.
was up 2.06% at 111.71, the highest level since April 4, late Friday. For the week the pair was up 2.71%.
The Japanese currency also weakened against the euro. advanced 1.49% to 125.40 in late trade and was up 2.18% for the week.
The drop in the yen came after that the BoJ could expand the negative interest rate policy it put in place in January at the conclusion of its upcoming rate review on Thursday.
The yen had rallied to 11-month highs against the dollar this month, in part on expectations that Japanese officials would hold off taking steps to weaken the currency.
The yen, which tends to gain in times of market turmoil, has strengthened broadly since the start of the year as commodity and equity markets struggled, boosting investor appetite for safe haven assets.
Demand for the dollar continued to be underpinned by the view that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates sooner than expected.
The , which measures the greenback's strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, rose 0.52% to 95.11. The index ended the week up 0.41% adding to a 0.47% gain in the previous week.
The dollar rose to five-week highs against the Swiss franc, with up 0.38% to 0.9786 at the close.
The euro also weakened against the dollar, with down 0.58% at 1.1223. The pair ended the week down 0.53%, its second straight weekly decline.
The euro remained on the back foot after data showing that growth in Germany's private sector slowed to a nine-month low in April.
The downbeat data indicated that the European Central Bank could still have leeway to ease monetary policy further.
On Thursday, ECB President Mario Draghi left the door open to further monetary stimulus measures to ensure inflation returns to target.
In the week ahead, the euro zone is to release preliminary data on first quarter growth on Friday, along with an initial estimate of inflation for April.
Investors will also be focusing on for clues on the path of future interest rate increases.
The BoJ's rate statement on Thursday will also be closely watched.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, April 25
Markets in Australia will remain closed for the Anzac day holiday.
The Ifo Institute for Economic Research is to release data German business climate.
The U.S. is to release data on new home sales.
Tuesday, April 26
The U.S. is to release data on durable goods orders and a private sector report on consumer confidence.
Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz is to speak at an event in New York.
Wednesday, April 27
New Zealand is to release data on the trade balance.
Australia is to report on consumer price inflation.
The U.K. is to release a first readout of first quarter gross domestic product.
The Federal Reserve is to announce its benchmark interest rate and publish its rate statement.
Thursday, April 28
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is to announce its benchmark interest rate and publish its rate statement, which outlines economic conditions and the factors affecting the monetary policy decision.
The BoJ is to hold its next monetary policy review. The rate announcement is to be followed by a press conference.
Japan is also to release data on household spending, inflation, retail sales and unemployment.
In the euro area, Germany and Spain are to release preliminary data on inflation, as well as reports on unemployment.
The U.S. is to publish its initial estimate of first quarter economic growth and the weekly report on initial jobless claims.
Friday, April 29
Markets in Japan will be closed for a national holiday.
Australia is to report on producer price inflation.
The euro zone is to publish preliminary reports on consumer inflation and first quarter growth.
Germany is to report on retail sales.
Swiss National Bank Chairman Thomas Jordan is to speak at an event in Bern.
Canada is to publish its monthly report on GDP.
The U.S. is to round up the week with a report on personal spending and revised data on consumer sentiment.
Source → Forex - Weekly outlook: April 25 - 29
