Yesterday, which was a holiday for the U.S. market, the USDJPY set a low of 148.96 directly after the open, but this was followed by a market that remained range-bound in the lower half of the 149-yen zone. However, a little while after GMT 10:30 the price broke through the middle of the 149-range and approached the psychologically important 150-yen line.

At around GMT 19:00 the USDJPY reached a high of 149.97, and trading for the day ended at 149.74 yen.

In the first half of today's Tokyo session, the USDJPY entered a downward trend following yesterday's rebound. Shortly after GMT 01:30 the yen hit a low of 149.44.

Looking at the daily chart of the USDJPY (as of GMT 03:30 on October 15), the close has broken above the previous high of 149.38 on August 15, but the price has been unable to surpass 150 yen.

(20-period Bollinger Band, showing ±1 and ±2 standard deviations)

Today's main economic indicators are as follows.

• GMT 12:30 U.S. October New York Empire State Manufacturing Index