SINGAPORE – The yen fell sharply on Dec 19 after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) kept its ultra-loose monetary policy unchanged and maintained its forward guidance in a closely awaited decision.

The yen slid 1.3 per cent against the US dollar to 144.66 as of 5.10pm Singapore time.

Against the Singapore currency, the yen similarly fell 1.3 per cent to 108.56, bringing it closer to its 2023 low of 111.8955 reached on Nov 16. At current trading levels, the yen has weakened nearly 11 per cent against the Singdollar to date this year.

The BOJ decision was in line with market expectations but some investors were on the lookout for signs on whether the doveish central bank might signal an eventual move away from negative interest rates.

“The BOJ will continue to maintain the stability of financing, mainly of firms, and financial markets, and will not hesitate to take additional easing measures if necessary,” the BOJ said in a statement at the conclusion of its two-day monetary policy meeting.

Market focus now turns to BOJ governor Kazuo Ueda’s press conference later in the day for further guidance on the bank’s policy outlook.

“Before the meeting, there were expectations for policy changes, including wording amendments in the statement,” said SMBC chief FX strategist Hirofumi Suzuki.

“The movement of a weaker (yen) is unlikely to become a trend, partly because expectations remain for a policy revision for January-March next year.

Elsewhere, the US dollar languished near roughly five-month lows against the risk-sensitive Australian and New Zealand dollars, as market sentiment stayed buoyant on the prospect that the United States Federal Reserve could begin easing in 2024.

The Aussie edged 0.28 per cent higher to US$0.6725, having peaked at US$0.6736 in the previous session, its highest since July 31.

The kiwi likewise rose 0.22 per cent to US$0.62255, standing not too far from Monday’s top of US$0.6250.

While some Fed officials have pushed back against market expectations of how soon the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) could cut rates, those comments have done little to sway market pricing and stem the greenback’s decline.

Chicago Fed president Austan Goolsbee on Monday said the Fed is not pre-committing to cutting rates soon and swiftly, and the jump in market expectations that it will do so is at odds with how the US central bank functions.

“It may take (the) PCE (personal consumption expenditures) inflation or comments from FOMC chair (Jerome) Powell to encourage market participants to delay their expectations for the start of the rate cut cycle,” said Mr Joseph Capurso, head of international and sustainable economics at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

A reading on the core PCE price index – the Fed’s preferred measure of underlying inflation – is due this week, providing further clarity on whether inflation has slowed sufficiently for the Fed to begin easing its monetary policy in 2024.

The pound rose 0.03 per cent to US$1.2651, while the euro slipped 0.04 per cent to US$1.0919.

Mr Capurso said those two currencies are the most vulnerable to a dislocation in oil and gas markets given their increasing dependence on energy from the Middle East, after the Yemeni Houthi militant group attacked ships in the Red Sea.

Those attacks led to a spike in oil prices as investors worried about disruption to trade as well as supply costs.

“Middle East oil and gas supplies may be put at risk,” added Mr Capurso. “That’s why the euro and sterling are most at risk for big falls if these conflicts get worse or spread.” REUTERS