USDJPY Elliott Wave Analysis: Trying For Higher Levels

USDJPY Elliott Wave Talking Points:

• The height of the current rally is normal within the context of a bearish Elliott wave zigzag
• If this pattern unfolds, then Elliott wave forecasts a bearish trend to 111 and possibly 108
• A break above 114.56 negates this pattern and we’ll reconsider further bullish opportunities

USD/JPY has been caught within an upward correction that we believe will resolve in a bearish turn soon. Bigger picture, we think USDJPY is in a downward corrective cycle since October 3 that may drive the pair towards much lower levels.

The current Elliott Wave for USDJPY

New to Elliott wave analysis? On page 4 of our Elliott wave beginners guide, we list out the rules and guidelines so you can properly label your own charts.

We are anticipating an a-b-c zigzag pattern lower that began October 3. This zigzag pattern would make up the ‘E’ leg of a larger triangle pattern that began from the 2015 high. It appears as though wave ((b)) of the zigzag is close to a termination point so that makes the current Elliott wave ((b)) of E. If this pattern is the correct one, then USDJPY will move lower in wave ((c)) of E that retests the 111 lows and possibly lower levels.

Why does Elliott Wave Theory identify a reversal near current levels?

Since the trend that began October 3 appears to be a bearish impulse wave into the October 15 low, it is highly probable that we will witness a subsequent three-wave bounce as a partial retracement. The Fibonacci 78.6% retracement is located near 113.92 and is considered the retracement of last resort. If USDJPY does not respect this level, then we will more highly consider other alternate Elliott wave patterns.

If this pattern does hold and a bearish reversal embarks soon, then we will anticipate wave ((c)) covering a distance of equal or Fibonacci proportions to the length of wave ((a)) in the zigzag.

If USDJPY does continue higher and break above 114.56, then this Elliott wave pattern is voided and we will consider other alternate counts.

Elliott Wave FAQs

How does Elliott Wave theory work?

Elliott Wave theory is a trading study that identifies the highs and lows of price movements on charts via wave patterns. Traders analyze the waves for 5-wave moves and 3-wave corrections to determine where the market is at within the larger pattern. Additionally, the theory maintains three rules and several guidelines on the depth of the waves related to one another. Therefore, it is common to use Fibonacci with Elliott Wave analysis. We cover these topics in our beginners and advanced Elliott Wave trading guides.

---Written by Jeremy Wagner, CEWA-M

Jeremy Wagner is a Certified Elliott Wave Analyst with a Master’s designation. These articles are designed to illustrate Elliott Wave applied to the current market environment. See Jeremy’s bio page for recent Elliott Wave articles to see Elliott Wave Theory in action.

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