24 May 2002, 09:53 Forex - Dollar/yen stable in midafternoon Tokyo on intervention fears
TOKYO (AFX-ASIA) - The dollar continued to be stable against the yen in
midafternoon trade, above the 125.00 level, as investors remained wary about
possible intervention by Japanese authorities, dealers said.
Trading was thin ahead of the release of revised first quarter GDP data in
the US and a holiday there on Monday.
A dealer at a Japanese trust bank said following a series of interventions
by the Bank of Japan, the dollar seems to have gained a firmer tone against the
yen.
"After the intervention yesterday, the dollar turned stable, sustaining the
125.00 level. It seems to me that sentiment on the dollar/yen has changed after
the interventions," the dealer said.
"Interventions by Japanese authorities to weaken the yen seem to have
succeeded," he added.
Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa this morning said the ministry has not
changed its foreign exchange policy after the second day of intervention, adding
that sharp movements in the market are unacceptable.
"In addition, Japanese authorities are trying to send a message to the
market that the outlook of the Japanese economy is not as good as market
expectations," the dealer said.
Shiokawa warned against hopes for an immediate recovery in the economy,
while adding that the government will try to cut spending in the next fiscal
year.
"I think the economic bottom has strengthened but the economy will not
quickly rebound," Shiokawa said.
The trust bank dealer said the dollar may start to test the 125.50-60 yen
level and likely move in a range of 124.50-126.50 next week.
"There is quite a lot of dollar selling by exporters waiting at around this
level. If the dollar breaches this level (125.50-60), it is possible for the
dollar to rise further," he said.
The euro was little changed against the major currencies with no new leads,
dealers said.
"The euro has started to recover against the yen recently. I think that the
euro will also be traded higher against the yen."
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