<p>We expect China’s monetary policy will be more expansionary in coming months as the economy slows further. Struggling between boosting growth and curbing CPI acceleration, the authority has probably chosen the former. Meanwhile, PBOC is obliged to do more as fiscal stimulus remains modest. PBOC has lowered interest rates three times this m
Strong Manufacturing PMI Sent Hope of Stabilization in Chinese Economy
<p>Purchasing Manager Indices (PMIs) suggested that the manufacturing China improved in November. Improvement in manufacturing PMIs signaled that upcoming industrial production data can surprise to the upside. The official PMI improved +0.9 point to 50.2 in November. This marks the first expansion (above 50) since March and the second largest
China’s CPI Soared to +4.5%; Exports Contracted More than Expected
<p>Headline CPI in China accelerated to +4.5% y/y in November, from +3.8% a month ago. The key contributor to strong inflation is fresh vegetable and pork prices. Non-food price climbed +1% y/y from +0.9% in October. Excluding food and energy prices, core inflation steadied at +1.4% y/y. Upstream PPI contracted -1.4%, improving from -1.6% in
Trade Deal and Strong November Data will Not Derail PBOC’s Easing Bias
<p>A number of good news has increased optimism over China. Following announcement of a Phase I trade deal with the US, the latest set of economic data surprised to the upside in November. However, we expect the bullishness will be short-lived. For the year ahead, the government will have to continue stimulating the economy via […]
Trade War Continues to Direct Outlook of USDCNY in 2020
<p>As in last year, Chinese Yuan will remain directed by the US-China trade war in 2020. Although China’s economy continues to struggle and PBOC’s monetary policy is tilted to the accommodative side, CNY should stabilize against USD if trade negotiations are smooth. Elevated inflation should keep PBOC cautious in adopting monetary easing. As
Low Base and Frontloading Drove China’s Trade Higher in December
<p>China’s foreign trade surprised to the upside in December. Exports rose +7.6% y/y in the last month of 2019, compared with consensus of +2.9%. Meanwhile, imports jumped +13.6% y/y, beating expectations of +9.6%. Both outbound and inbound shipment improved in December from a month ago. Exports in November contracted -1.9% y/y, while imports
US-China Phase I Trade Deal Signed, Execution & Phase II Negotiations the Next Focus
<p>Signing of the Phase I trade deal marks an end of the beginning the trade war between the US and China. While the deal covers various areas of great concerns to the US, including China’s imports of US goods and services, China’s handling of intellectual properties, technological transfer and the financial services industry, and renminbi [&
Chinese Data Surprised to Downside in July. Tariff Delay Won’t Help Arrest Slowdown
<p>China’s economic data surprised to the downside in July. Delay in US tariff should have limited boost on China’s growth outlook. Industrial production gained +4.8% y/y in July, missing consensus of +5.8% and June’s 6.3%. The slowdown is the most severe since February 2009 and caught the market in surprise. Manufacturing PMIs compiled by go
China Cuts Banks’ Lending Rates as Trade War Escalates
<p>PBOC has recently made some changes in its interest rate policy. Following the move to link the loan prime rate (LPR) to open market operations, the medium lending facility (MLF) rate, the central bank over the weekend announced the plan to set a floor for mortgage rate. The first change essentially lowers banks’ lending rates [&hell
China Watch – Tariff Exemption Further Evidenced Weakness in Underlying Economy
<p>China announced that 16 types of US exports will be exempted from tariff. While this may be a gesture ahead of the October trade negotiation, we view this as a sign of further weakness in china’s economic outlook. Trade data surprised to the downside in August with both exports and imports coming in weaker than […]