Implied volatility for USD/JPY spikes ahead of BOJ, FOMCThis time tomorrow we will finally know the outcome of the BOJ and FOMC meetings. Options traders clearly have it on their radar, as the 1-day implied volatility band has expanded to nearly 4x its usual range (defined with a 20-day average).
But with bets of a hike already accompanied with a much weaker yen, traders may also want to be on guard for the potential the hike is already priced in. Or that the BOJ don't hike at all. The latter scenario could also help USD/JPY bounce quite hard heading into the FOMC meeting, where a loss-dovish-than-expected Fed could send it higher still.
There is a support zone between 151.30 - 152 made up of several technical levels including a high-volume node, previous MOF intervention level and the 152 handle itself. Bulls could seek cheeky longs around such levels heading into the BOJ meeting and look to exit prior. Or hold on if they think the BOJ will disappoint (which they tend to do these days at their meetings). and that could see 152 act as a springboard.
However, the 151.30 - 152 zone could quickly turn into an opened trap door should the BOJ deliver the hawkish meeting alongside a dovish tone from the Fed that markets are so desperately seeking.
