Euro gains strongly against Japanese Yen as latter underperforms across board

Japanese Yen Price Today

The table below shows the percentage change of Japanese Yen (JPY) against listed major currencies today. Japanese Yen was the weakest against the New Zealand Dollar.

	USD	EUR	GBP	JPY	CAD	AUD	NZD	CHF
USD		-0.24%	-0.04%	0.23%	-0.15%	0.12%	-0.37%	-0.14%
EUR	0.24%		0.21%	0.45%	0.09%	0.37%	-0.10%	0.11%
GBP	0.04%	-0.21%		0.26%	-0.12%	0.18%	-0.29%	-0.06%
JPY	-0.23%	-0.45%	-0.26%		-0.36%	-0.09%	-0.54%	-0.30%
CAD	0.15%	-0.09%	0.12%	0.36%		0.28%	-0.16%	0.06%
AUD	-0.12%	-0.37%	-0.18%	0.09%	-0.28%		-0.43%	-0.19%
NZD	0.37%	0.10%	0.29%	0.54%	0.16%	0.43%		0.23%
CHF	0.14%	-0.11%	0.06%	0.30%	-0.06%	0.19%	-0.23%

The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Japanese Yen from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent JPY (base)/USD (quote).

Last week, a Reuters report showed that the BoJ will keep focus on the risk of inflation overshooting the central bank’s target in its quarterly report due in July. The report also showed that the central bank may revise its economic growth forecast higher for the current year.

The scenario of higher inflationary pressures and upward economic growth revision would likely boost expectations that the BoJ’s monetary policy path will remain in the upside.

Meanwhile, the Euro trades higher amid growing expectations that the European Central Bank (ECB) will deliver another interest rate hike this year. Rising energy prices due to renewed aggression between the United States (US) and Iran have de-anchored global inflation expectations again.

Analysts at MUFC expect the ECB to deliver another 25 basis points (bps) rate hike in the September meeting.

Meanwhile, investors await fresh commentary from ECB officials regarding the Eurozone inflation outlook after headlines that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint to almost one-fifth of global energy supply, is closed again.

Euro FAQs

What is the Euro?

The Euro is the currency for the 20 European Union countries that belong to the Eurozone. It is the second most heavily traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar. In 2022, it accounted for 31% of all foreign exchange transactions, with an average daily turnover of over $2.2 trillion a day. EUR/USD is the most heavily traded currency pair in the world, accounting for an estimated 30% off all transactions, followed by EUR/JPY (4%), EUR/GBP (3%) and EUR/AUD (2%).

What is the ECB and how does it impact the Euro?

The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany, is the reserve bank for the Eurozone. The ECB sets interest rates and manages monetary policy. The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability, which means either controlling inflation or stimulating growth. Its primary tool is the raising or lowering of interest rates. Relatively high interest rates – or the expectation of higher rates – will usually benefit the Euro and vice versa. The ECB Governing Council makes monetary policy decisions at meetings held eight times a year. Decisions are made by heads of the Eurozone national banks and six permanent members, including the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde.

How does inflation data impact the value of the Euro?

Eurozone inflation data, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), is an important econometric for the Euro. If inflation rises more than expected, especially if above the ECB’s 2% target, it obliges the ECB to raise interest rates to bring it back under control. Relatively high interest rates compared to its counterparts will usually benefit the Euro, as it makes the region more attractive as a place for global investors to park their money.

How does economic data influence the value of the Euro?

Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact on the Euro. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the single currency. A strong economy is good for the Euro. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the ECB to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen the Euro. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Euro is likely to fall. Economic data for the four largest economies in the euro area (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are especially significant, as they account for 75% of the Eurozone’s economy.

How does the Trade Balance impact the Euro?

Another significant data release for the Euro is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought after exports then its currency will gain in value purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.