Investing.com - The U.S. dollar ended Friday’s session lower against the traditional safe haven yen as escalating tensions in Ukraine sparked a selloff in risk assets.
USD/JPY touched session lows of 102.14 and was last down 0.09% to 102.35 late Friday.
The pair is likely to find support at around the 101.95 level and resistance at about 102.90.
Market sentiment was hit following reports that Ukraine's military attacked and destroyed a number of armored vehicles that entered the country from Russia.
The dollar found support late Friday after data showed that U.S. industrial output rose at a faster than expected rate in in July.
Official data showed that industrial output was up 0.4% in July, compared with forecasts of a 0.3% increase. Output growth for June was revised up to 0.4%.
A separate report showed that U.S. producer prices slowed to 0.1% in July from 0.4% the previous month.
The yen was lower against the euro, with EUR/JPY rising 0.18% to 137.16 late Friday.
The single currency drifted higher amid expectations for fresh stimulus from the European Central Bank following data on Thursday showing that the euro zone economy stagnated in the second quarter.
The report came one day after official data showed that Japan’s economy contracted by an annualized 6.8% in the second quarter, as a result of a sales tax increase which came into effect on April 1. Economists had forecast a contraction of 7.1%.
In the week ahead, investors will be looking ahead to Wednesday’s minutes of the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting, while Japan is to release trade data. Market watchers will also be eyeing speeches by central bank heads at the annual economic symposium is due to take place in Jackson Hole, starting on Thursday.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, August 18
The U.S. is to produce private sector data on the housing market.
Tuesday, August 19
The U.S. is to release reports on building permits, housing starts and consumer inflation.
Wednesday, August 20
Japan is to publish data on the trade balance, the difference in value between imports and exports.
Later Wednesday, the Federal Reserve is to publish the minutes of its latest policy meeting.
Thursday, August 21
The U.S. is to produce data on unemployment claims, manufacturing activity and existing home sales.
The first day of the annual economic symposium is due to take place in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Friday, August 22
Fed Chair Janet Yellen is to speak at the second day of the annual economic symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.