Yen’s outlook worsens as traders turn bearish

Bearish yen: An American flag and a Japanese flag are displayed in the dealing room of a foreign exchange brokerage in Tokyo. Japanese data due this week may add to the bearish yen mood: economists predict machine orders probably shrank from a year earlier in February. — Bloomberg

SINGAPORE: The omens are looking bad for the yen.

Traders have boosted short positions on Japan’s currency for six straight weeks as signs that economic growth is slowing make it more likely the central bank will maintain its record monetary stimulus.