FxWirePro: USD/JPY edges higher to retrace into daily cloud, retail sales boost US dollar

USD/JPY chart - Trading View 

USD/JPY was trading 0.15% higher on the day at 109.87 at around 06:50 GMT.

Dollar index spiked overnight after data showed U.S. retail sales unexpectedly increased in August, easing some concerns about a sharp slowdown in economic growth. 

U.S. retail sales rose 0.7% m/m, beating expectations of a 0.8% fall, while a business sentiment survey by the Philadelphia Fed also showed a big improvement.

Raft of strong U.S. economic data rekindled expectations of an earlier policy tightening by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Additionally, the US-China tussles, along with the hurricanes, challenge oil firms in the US Gulf to add to the risk-off mood and favor the US dollar’s safe-haven demand.

On the other side, the yen has so far shown little reaction to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) leadership race, which formally kicks off on Friday ahead of a Sept. 29 vote.

USD/JPY extends trade in 'Symmetric Triangle' pattern. Breakout will provide a clear directional bias.

Focus for now is on US Michigan Consumer Sentiment details ahead of next week's FOMC meeting for cues.