FX markets reverse yesterday’s moves as the PBoC comes to market with further monetary easing
Price action was once again dominated by events in China, with focus today falling on the PBoC cutting rates for the 5th time since November. As US participants came to market, the PBoC cut their RRR by 50bps to 18.00% (Prev. 18.50%) with further cuts for individual sectors, whilst also cutting the deposit rate by 25bps to 1.75% (Prev. 2.00%) and lending interest rates by 25bps to 4.60% (Prev. 4.85%). While a RRR cut was expected over the past weekend, a cut to the lending and deposit rate had not been factored in and as such, financial markets were bolstered by the move. Of note, as well as the recent heavy losses in equity markets, the PBoC highlighted that moves in FX reducing their liquidity had also been a substantial factor in their decision to hike rates.
While the PBoC action exacerbated price action in FX markets, the trend overall trend remained unchanged, with European participants already beginning to see a reversal of yesterday’s sharp moves. As such, the USD-index spent the whole session in the green, with the greenback further bolstered by the highest US Consumer Confidence Index since January (101.5 vs. Exp. 93.4) and higher than expected Services PMI (55.2 vs. Exp. 55.1).
Elsewhere, JPY today saw an unwind of safe haven bids seen yesterday to see out the European session in close proximity to the 120.00 handle, higher on the day by over 1 point, while EUR saw downside today amid the positive sentiment due to its use as a funding currency.
Finally of note, commodities currencies also saw a bout of strength today after the latest PBoC action improved sentiment for both energy and metal markets, with the likes of WTI, Brent and iron ore all coming off their multi year lows. As such, commodity and EM currencies were particularly sensitive to the recovery in appetite for riskier assets, with ZAR, RUB, AUD, TRY, INR all trading firmer.
Looking ahead, tomorrow’s highlights include US Durable goods and DOE crude oil inventories as well as comments from ECB’s Praet and Fed’s Dudley.