China's yuan jumps to 16-month high, state banks step in to curb gains
Updates prices, adds analyst comment
SHANGHAI, Sept 20 (Reuters) -China's yuan CNY=CFXS rose to itsstrongest level in nearly 16 months on Friday on bets that Beijing will unveil fresh economic stimulus following a jumbo U.S. rate cut, though gains were capped by dollar buying from Chinese state banks.
The onshore yuan strengthened to as much as 7.0420 per dollar, the firmest level since May 24, 2023, on track for a six-session rising streak.
Although China kept benchmark lending rates steady on Friday, confounding expectations for a cut, market watchers believe more support measures will be rolled out soon to prop up the ailing Chinese economy, with the Federal Reserve's easing path offering Beijing leeway to loosen policy without unduly hurting the yuan.
The Chinese currency has gained about 3% since late July, recouping first-half losses, as the dollar =USD had plunged on U.S. rate-reduction expectations. The Fed cut rates by a larger than usual 50-basis-points on Wednesday.
"I still expect PBOC to cut rates in the coming months, as it is necessary to address the deflationary pressure in the economy," said Zhiwei Zhang, chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management.
Lower Chinese rates could weigh on the yuan, but many believe Beijing's cuts would be milder than U.S. moves, and the negative impact would be offset by a potentially stronger economy if Beijing unveils bigger stimulus.
The yuan is also being bolstered by signs of increasing corporate demand as more exporters settle their foreign exchange receipts, in a trend that could accelerate.
On Friday, China's major state-owned banks were seen buying dollars in the onshore market to prevent the yuan from appreciating too fast.
"Concentrated dollar settlement by exporters will potentially increase forex volatility, pushing the yuan closer to 7.0 per dollar," Yang Fan, chief macro analyst at Citic Securities, said in a note.
But the yuan is unlikely to strengthen beyond 7.0, as China's central bank wants to keep it stable and doesn't want to see the currency overshoot in either direction, she said.
Prior to the market opening, the People's Bank of China set the midpoint rate CNY=PBOC at 7.0644 per dollar, its strongest in nearly 16 months.
LEVELS AT 03:38 GMT GMT | |||||
INSTRUMENT | CURRENT vs USD | UP/DOWN(-) VS. PREVIOUS CLOSE % | % CHANGE YR-TO-DATE | DAY'S HIGH | DAY'S LOW |
Spot yuan <CNY=CFXS | 7.0425 | 0.35 | 0.83 | 7.042 | 7.0635 |
Offshore yuan spot CNH=D3 | 7.0431 | 0.4 | 1.17 | 7.0413 | 7.073 |
Reporting by Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Kim Coghill
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