|

USD/CNH: PBoC may continue to restraint the RMB – OCBC

USD/CNH eased as policymakers continued to keep the daily fix under 7.20. In fact, the CNY fix was even set stronger at 7.1934 than the day before (at 7.1996). Pair was last at 7.2838, OCBC’s FX analysts Frances Cheung and Christopher Wong note.

CNH may still trade under pressure

“Fixing pattern suggests that PBoC is doing whatever it takes to restraint the RMB from over-weakening after the initial round of knee-jerk depreciation post-US election outcome. That said, tariff headlines served as a constant reminder that wider tariffs could soon hit when Trump comes on board officially in Jan2025. PBoC may continue to restraint the RMB from excessive weakening via daily fix, but likely they may have to deploy offshore funding squeeze (if need arises) to ensure more effective transmission.”

“CNH may still trade under pressure expectations for further rate cuts at home while economic recovery remains uneven. Caixin services PMI was weaker than expected while manufacturing PMI was stronger than expected. Housing market has also showed very mixed signs of stabilisation. While there may be other stimulus support measures to support the domestic economy, these are at best mitigating factors only.”

“Meantime the bias for RMB may be skewed towards further weakening (notwithstanding some short-term technical correction). Daily momentum is mild bullish while RSI shows signs of turning from near-overbought conditions. Corrective pullback not ruled out. Support at 7.2745 and 7.2440 (21 DMA). Resistance at 7.32, 7.3450 levels.”

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

The FXStreet Insights Team is a group of journalists that handpicks selected market observations published by renowned experts. The content includes notes by commercial as well as additional insights by internal and external analysts.

More from FXStreet Insights Team
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD deflates to fresh lows, targets 1.1600

The selling pressure on EUR/USD now gathers extra pace, prompting the pair to hit fresh multi-week lows in the 1.1625-1.1620 band on Friday. The continuation of the downward bias comes in response to further gains in the US Dollar as market participants continue to assess the mixed release of US Nonfarm Payrolls in December.

GBP/USD breaks below 1.3400, challenges the 200-day SMA

GBP/USD remains under heavy fire and retreats for the fourth consecutive day on Friday. Indeed, Cable suffers the strong performance of the Greenback, intensified post-mixed NFP, and trades at shouting distance from its critical 200-day SMA near 1.3380.

Gold flirts with yearly tops around $4,500

Gold keeps its positive bias on Friday, adding to Thursday’s advance and challenging yearly highs in the $4,500 region per troy ounce. The risk-off sentiment favours the yellow metal despite the firmer tone in the Greenback and rising US Treasury yields.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP risk further decline as market fear persists amid slowing demand

Bitcoin holds $90,000 but stays below the 50-day EMA as institutional demand wanes. Ethereum steadies above $3,000 but remains structurally weak due to ETF outflows. XRP ETFs resume inflows, but the price struggles to gain ground above key support.

Week ahead – US CPI might challenge the geopolitics-boosted Dollar

Geopolitics may try to steal the limelight from US data. A possible US Supreme Court ruling on tariffs could dictate market movements. A crammed data calendar next week, US CPI comes on Tuesday; Fedspeak to intensify.

XRP trades under pressure amid weak retail demand

XRP presses down on the 50-day EMA support as risk-averse sentiment spreads despite a positive start to 2026. XRP faces declining retail demand, as reflected in futures Open Interest, which has fallen to $4.15 billion.