Core Viewpoint - The divergence in monetary policy between the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan is significantly impacting the foreign exchange market, with the Japanese yen being particularly affected [1]. Group 1: Federal Reserve's Hawkish Stance - The Federal Reserve's unexpected hawkish tone during the October FOMC meeting has raised doubts about the anticipated interest rate cuts in December, leading to a stronger dollar outlook [6][8]. - Market reactions indicate a shift in expectations, with a notable reduction in the likelihood of rate cuts for December and January, while adjustments for subsequent meetings in 2026 remain limited [6][8]. - The Fed's internal tensions regarding employment and inflation targets are becoming more pronounced, especially with nominal growth rates around 5% [6][8]. Group 2: Bank of Japan's Dovish Position - Contrary to market expectations, the Bank of Japan decided to maintain its policy rate at 0.50% during the October meeting, which led to a significant depreciation of the yen [10][12]. - The Bank's decision reflects a respect for the current government's preference for inflation and yen depreciation, with expectations for a potential rate hike now pushed to January 2024 [10][12]. - The yen's rapid decline was evident as the USD/JPY exchange rate surged from approximately 152.20 to over 154 following the Bank's announcement [10][12]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Predictions - The current market dynamics are driven by a "high market policy trade," characterized by buying Japanese stocks while selling yen, which is expected to continue as long as the Bank of Japan remains inactive [5][11]. - Morgan Stanley's model suggests that the fair value of USD/JPY is around 154.5, indicating potential for further upward movement in the short term [11]. - However, there are concerns about intervention risks if the exchange rate exceeds 155, with warnings from Japan's new finance minister signaling heightened scrutiny of foreign exchange market movements [12][12]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Morgan Stanley has revised its USD/JPY forecasts significantly, projecting 156 for Q4 2025, up from a previous estimate of 142 [13]. - The expectation is that after the Bank of Japan's next rate hike in January, the USD/JPY will gradually trend downward [14].
鹰派美联储+鸽派日央行=日元贬值?