Foreign exchange markets witnessed sharp shifts on Thursday as the Euro fell 1.37% against the Japanese Yen. The decline in the EUR/JPY pair was triggered by severe verbal warnings from Tokyo regarding foreign exchange intervention, alongside a string of mixed Economic Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) figures out of the Eurozone. Persistent sluggishness in the German and French services sectors further dampened investor sentiment toward the shared currency.
Japan Maintains Verbal Intervention Threat to Support Yen
Atsushi Mimura, Japan’s top currency diplomat, reinforced Thursday that financial authorities stand fully prepared to step into the foreign exchange market if needed. Mimura noted that officials continue to stand ready on foreign exchange operations to counter excessive volatility. However, when asked whether authorities had executed rate checks with commercial banks—a procedural step that frequently precedes direct market intervention—he refrained from commenting.
Mimura emphasized his discomfort with current foreign exchange trends, stating he remains neither at ease nor satisfied with prevailing market conditions. These warnings served to keep the risk of official Japanese intervention active in traders' minds, effectively underpinning the Yen and triggering broad-based selling in EUR/JPY despite a lack of confirmation regarding executed transactions.
Eurozone Services PMI Revisions Reveal Stark Divergence
Data releases from the Eurozone provided negligible backing for the Euro. The Eurozone HCOB Services PMI was revised downward to 51.7 in August from an initial estimate of 51.8. Similarly, the Composite PMI was adjusted down to 52.0 from 52.1. While both numbers remain safely above the neutral 50 mark separating expansion from contraction, the downward revisions underscored fragile momentum across the bloc.
Regional performance across Eurozone member states showed significant fragmentation. Germany’s Services PMI was revised upward to 49.7 from a preliminary 48.5, yet remained stuck in contraction territory below 50. France reported even greater weakness, with its index downgraded to 48.0 from 48.4. Conversely, Southern European economies showed resilience, with Italy registering a Services PMI of 55.2 and Spain posting a strong 57.8. The readings highlight ongoing input price pressures alongside uneven regional growth.
USD/JPY Drops Below 157.00 as AUD/USD Consolidates
In parallel currency movements, USD/JPY extended its slide below the 157.00 threshold during European trading hours. A softer-than-expected US ADP employment report dragged the US Dollar down across major pairs. Hawkish expectations surrounding the Bank of Japan alongside persistent intervention threats maintained downward momentum on USD/JPY.
Meanwhile, AUD/USD stabilized above 0.7150 during Asian trading hours, struggling to extend a recovery from a near two-week low. Weak Australian trade balance data offset positive impulses from China’s RatingDog Services PMI. Gains in the Australian currency were further capped as the US Dollar found footing amid geopolitical tensions involving the US and Iran, alongside market pricing of potential September Federal Reserve rate hikes.
Gold Holds Near Highs as US Diesel Crack Spread Hits $102 Record
In commodities, Gold retained a firm tone under $4,450 heading into the European session. Lower US Treasury yields and soft ADP employment figures provided relief to the precious metal following its bounce from nearly four-week lows. However, potential rate hikes by the Federal Reserve and inflation concerns stemming from elevated energy prices continue to anchor US Treasury yields.
Market participants are focused on the upcoming US ISM Services PMI release scheduled for Thursday at 14:00 GMT. Expectations center around a reading of 54.3, slightly above July's 54.1, which would signal sustained growth in the US service sector. In energy markets, diesel spreads experienced historic volatility: the US diesel crack spread over WTI crude breached $100 per barrel for the first time, reaching a fresh intraday record above $102.00.
