Chinese Disinflation Takeaways

Published 04/11/2023, 06:11 AM

Consumer inflation in China fell to 0.7% YoY in March from 1.0% in the previous month. Last month's producer price index was 2.5% lower than a year earlier, accelerating its decline from 1.4% in February.

China CPI, PPI YoY

The hypothesis that China's move away from a zero-COVID policy is driving down prices rather than pushing them up, as has been the case in the developed world, remains valid. In this case, we are seeing a normalisation of the economy, which in turn is normalising prices after the spike of previous years.

The stabilisation of supply chains is also evident in the stabilisation of container prices, which have returned to the region of $1,500 (the norm, at least from October 2016 to April 2020) after spiking above $10,000 in the last quarter of 2021.

The normalisation of logistics complements the fall in producer prices, taking inflationary pressure off the developed world. And this is good news for risk demand, as it will allow the world's biggest central banks to stop tightening policy more quickly.

Global Container Freight Index

However, falling producer prices may also signal a sharp contraction in demand in the developed world. Although it signals the end of the interest rate hike cycle in Europe and America, it promises more negativity. In this case, things will get worse before they get better.

The FxPro Analyst Team

Latest comments

Loading next article…
Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.