GBP/JPY slips below 165 as BOJ prepared to act; UK retail sales are scrutinised

The GBP/JPY pair dropped below the crucial support level of 165 during the Asian session. The asset is falling precipitously now that the Wednesday buffer of 166.00 has been lost. The cross has developed a trading range between 164.80 and 165.87, and it is more likely than not that it will break to the downside and drop below 164.00.

The fall in the headline UK inflation numbers did not produce any gains for the pound bulls. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the year came in at 9.9%, which was less than both the predicted value of 10.2% and the preceding reading of 10.1%. The economy is no longer facing double-digit inflation, despite the fact that the current inflation rate of 9.9 percent is still relatively high, despite rising energy prices. But at 6.3%, the core CPI remained in line with forecasts.

Given that lower readings are not a permanent trend, it would be premature to declare an end to pricing pressures. Inflationary pressures will continue to rise as a result of Liz Truss, the new prime minister of the United Kingdom, introducing stimulus plans to shield people from rising energy prices and cut back on tax rates.

The UK Retail Sales numbers will be the topic of discussion on Friday. Compared to the 3.4% recorded earlier, the economic data are predicted to show a 4.2% annual loss. In addition, instead of the 0.3% increase previously indicated, the monthly figure will fall by 0.5%.

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has vowed to interfere in the foreign exchange market to support the domestic currency, which has given the yen bulls a boost. Nikkei reported on Thursday that the BOJ carried out a foreign exchange "check" to find out how much market participants value the JPY. The news source claims that this is proof that the BOJ might be getting ready to intervene in the market.