PBOC sets USD/CNY reference rate at 6.7313 vs. 6.7330 previous

Haresh Menghani FXStreet

On Monday, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) sets the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 6.7313 compared to Friday's fix of 6.7330 and 6.6977 Reuters estimate.

PBOC FAQs

What does the People's Bank of China do?

The primary monetary policy objectives of the People's Bank of China (PBoC) are to safeguard price stability, including exchange rate stability, and promote economic growth. China’s central bank also aims to implement financial reforms, such as opening and developing the financial market.

Who owns the PBoC?

The PBoC is owned by the state of the People's Republic of China (PRC), so it is not considered an autonomous institution. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Committee Secretary, nominated by the Chairman of the State Council, has a key influence on the PBoC’s management and direction, not the governor. However, Mr. Pan Gongsheng currently holds both of these posts.

What are the main policy tools used by the PBoC?

Unlike the Western economies, the PBoC uses a broader set of monetary policy instruments to achieve its objectives. The primary tools include a seven-day Reverse Repo Rate (RRR), Medium-term Lending Facility (MLF), foreign exchange interventions and Reserve Requirement Ratio (RRR). However, The Loan Prime Rate (LPR) is China’s benchmark interest rate. Changes to the LPR directly influence the rates that need to be paid in the market for loans and mortgages and the interest paid on savings. By changing the LPR, China’s central bank can also influence the exchange rates of the Chinese Renminbi.

Are private banks allowed in China?

Yes, China has 19 private banks – a small fraction of the financial system. The largest private banks are digital lenders WeBank and MYbank, which are backed by tech giants Tencent and Ant Group, per The Straits Times. In 2014, China allowed domestic lenders fully capitalized by private funds to operate in the state-dominated financial sector.

Author

Haresh Menghani

FXStreet

Haresh Menghani is a detail-oriented professional with 10+ years of extensive experience in analysing the global financial markets.

AUD/USD eyes 0.7000 as USD remains on the back foot amid softer bond yields

AUD/USD fills a modest bearish gap on Monday, approaching 0.7000 during the Asian session amid holiday-thinned liquidity. The US Dollar remains on the back foot as US bond yields pull back from multi-year highs, supporting the pair. However, the Fed's hawkish outlook and the US-Iran standoff should limit USD losses. Moreover, diminishing odds of another RBA rate hike in November might cap the Aussie.

USD/JPY remains confined in a familiar range around 158.00

USD/JPY extends its range-bound price action at the start of a new week, trading around 158.00 as bulls remain on high alert amid speculation that authorities would step in to prop up the Japanese Yen. Furthermore, softer US bond yields keep US Dollar bulls on the back foot and cap the currency pair. However, geopolitical uncertainties could limit losses for the safe-haven buck amid thin liquidity due to a holiday in Japan and the US.

Gold advances to over one-week top, above $4,200 on softer bond yields/USD

Gold moves above $4,200 on Monday, hitting an over one-week high during the Asian session as softer US bond yields keep US Dollar bulls on the defensive. However, the US-Iran standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, along with a hawkish Fed, could limit USD losses. This could cap non-yielding bullion as traders look to US inflation figures and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's speech for a fresh impetus during the latter part of this week.

Week ahead: US CPI, France’s budget crisis and Q3 earnings to set the market tone

The US dollar held relatively strong this week, despite the disappointing US jobs report on October 2, which further decreased the probability of a back-to-back rate hike by the Fed at the upcoming gathering on October 28.

Middle East War updates: New attack launched on Saudi airport

Here’s a brief recap of the key developments in the Middle East war that occurred over the weekend, which are expected to have a significant impact on markets in the upcoming week. In the world of financial jargon the two widely used terms “risk-on” and “risk off'' refer to the level of risk that investors are willing to stomach during the period referenced.

Has Bitcoin really escaped the macro forces it was built to fight?

Over 17 years ago, Satoshi Nakamoto designed Bitcoin (BTC) on the back of a global financial crisis as an alternative to the global monetary system outside the control of central banks, governments and traditional intermediaries. This raises a key question: has Bitcoin really become independent of the macroeconomic forces it was built to challenge?