|

China: PBoC sticks to its accommodative stance – UOB

Strategists at UOB Group’s Global Economics & Markets Research review the latest decision by the PBoC.

Key Takeaways

“The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) left the 1Y Medium-Term Lending Facility Rate (MLF) rate unchanged at 2.85% on Tue, in line with the consensus forecast. The pause after the 10 bps cut to the 1Y MLF rate in Jan may have considered the stronger US Fed hike expectation as well as the strong rebound in Jan new aggregate financing. Nevertheless, the net CNY100 bn injection into the banking system with the 1Y MLF in Feb signals that the PBOC has stayed the path of monetary policy easing to shore up growth.”

“We expect the PBOC to guide the loan prime rate (LPR) lower in the coming MLF settings and maintain our call for the benchmark 1Y LPR to fall by another 15 bps to 3.55% by the end of 2Q22.”

Author

Pablo Piovano

Born and bred in Argentina, Pablo has been carrying on with his passion for FX markets and trading since his first college years.

More from Pablo Piovano
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD hits eight-month lows below 0.6850 amid bullish USD

AUD/USD stays defensive below 0.6850, hitting an eight-month low in the Asian session on Thursday as the possibility of a steeper Fed rate hike in December helps the US Dollar hold near its highest level since April 2025. Geopolitical uncertainty also supports the safe-haven buck, while the RBA’s cautious, on-hold stance limits the Aussie.

USD/JPY eases from near 160.00 amid looming intervention risks, BoJ hike bets

USD/JPY retreats slightly from an over two-month high as the recent surge back to the 160.00 psychological mark prompted verbal warnings from Japanese authorities and sparked fears of direct FX intervention. Moreover, data showed that Japan’s wholesale inflation picked up again in October, strengthening the case for a BoJ hike in December and lifting the Japanese Yen. However, a bullish US Dollar, bolstered by odds of a jumbo Fed rate hike in December, could cap the pair's downside.



Gold falls below $4,000 as traders weigh a half-point Fed rate hike

Gold (XAU/USD) slips back below $4,000 on Thursday, giving up most of last week’s gains as bets on more aggressive Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate hikes lift the US Dollar (USD) to a fresh year-to-date high.

MSCI drops Strategy from indexes: What it means for Bitcoin

Strategy and Bitcoin (BTC) came under fresh pressure late Wednesday after MSCI finalized its decision to remove the Bitcoin treasury company from its global indexes, raising concerns about potential selling pressure on MSTR shares and its future Bitcoin purchases.

Why the US Dollar's rally isn't as strong as it looks

The US Dollar Index (DXY) is back at an 18-month high, but most of its climb since August is the Euro falling. Against a wider group of trading partners, the Dollar has gained half as much, and the Federal Reserve has raised rates once this year. The US Dollar Index, which measures the Dollar against six other currencies, is trading near 103.

What the US CPI headline doesn’t tell you about inflation

Brent crude has fallen about a third since mid-October on hopes the Iran war is ending, but diesel, freight and fertiliser costs haven't followed. Those costs reach US consumer prices in stages through 2027 and could keep inflation high after gasoline gets cheaper.