China’s Premier Li: Economic growth could exceed target

Dhwani Mehta FXStreet

China’s economic growth this year is likely to surpass a target of “above 6%” amid government measures, Bloomberg reports, citing comments from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, delivered in a meeting with foreign business executives.

Key quotes

“We need to seek a balance between growth, income, and employment, and we cannot pursue economic growth based on high energy consumption and heavy pollution,”

“China needs growth in employment and income, and will have to work more on boosting domestic demand and consumption.”

Earlier on, Li said that the 2021 GDP growth target of over 6% is not low.

Market reaction

Despite the upbeat remarks from Premier Li, the Chinese proxy, the aussie remains heavily offered, as Western sanctions on Beijing continue to dent the risk appetite.

AUD/USD was last seen trading at 0.7715, down 0.38% on the day.

Author

Dhwani Mehta

FXStreet

Residing in Mumbai (India), Dhwani is a Senior Analyst and Manager of the Asian session at FXStreet. She has over 10 years of experience in analyzing and covering the global financial markets, with specialization in Forex and commodities markets.

160.80: Japanese Yen remains close to nearly two-year lows

USD/JPY inches lower after four days of gains, trading around 160.60 during the Asian hours. The USD/JPY pair surged to 160.80 the previous day, marking its highest level since July 2024 and significantly heightening speculation that Japanese authorities could soon intervene to support the struggling Yen.

AUD/USD eyes 0.7050 on weaker USD; 100-day SMA holds the key for bulls

The AUD/USD pair regains positive traction during the Asian session, reversing part of the previous day's slide to sub-0.7000 levels, or the weekly low. Spot prices currently trade around the 0.7040 region, up nearly 0.40% for the day, amid a broadly weaker US Dollar.

Gold retreats below $4,300 as USD benefits from hawkish Fed

Gold (XAU/USD) stays on the back foot in the European session and trades below $4,300. Although easing tensions in the Middle East help XAU/USD limit its losses, the broad-based USD strength in the Fed aftermath causes bulls to turn hesitant.

Bitcoin slips below $64,000 as hawkish Fed stance weighs on risk appetite

Bitcoin remains under pressure, extending its correction, trading below $64,000. The US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged but struck a hawkish tone on Wednesday, dampening the risk sentiment.

Bank Indonesia increases rates by 25 basis points in June: Will it defend the Rupiah?

Bank Indonesia decided to hike the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 5.75% on June 18, from the previous 5.5%. The decision aligned with the market expectations. The Indonesian Rupiah receives support against the US Dollar as an immediate reaction to the BI interest rate decision. The USD/IDR is trading around 17,820.

Regime change: Inside Kevin Warsh's first move to make the Fed unreadable on purpose

The rate did not move. That was the least interesting thing about Kevin Warsh's first meeting in charge of the Fed. The FOMC held its benchmark at 3.50%-3.75% for the fourth straight meeting, exactly as priced, and then the new chair used his first press conference to dismantle the machinery the market has leaned on for a decade.