Key Takeaways
- 💵 Most Asian currencies weakened on Friday, while the dollar retained overnight gains
- 📉 Signs of continued economic weakness in China offset optimism over easing U.S. inflation and interest rates
- 🇨🇳 Purchasing managers index (PMI) data from China showed little improvement in business activity in February
- 🔧 Recovery in Asia’s largest economy remained sluggish
- 📉 Chinese yuan fell 0.1% on Friday and remained near recent three-month lows
- 🏭 Official PMI data showed China’s manufacturing sector shrank for a fifth straight month in February
- 💲 Dollar index and dollar index futures retained most of their overnight gains after data on inflation
- 📊 The PCE price index eased in January, remaining above the central bank’s annual inflation target
- 📈 There is a chance the Fed will cut rates this summer
- 🏷️ Traders were pricing in over 30% chance for a hold in June and a 56% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut
- 🇯🇵 Japanese yen relinquished gains, trading back above the 150 level
- 🇦🇺 Australian dollar rose 0.3% after two days of losses as investors bet on no further interest rate hikes
- 🇮🇳 Indian rupee extended mild gains after data showed Indian GDP growth in the December quarter
Article
Continued Economic Weakness in China Drives Asian Currency Movements
The foreign exchange market witnessed significant fluctuations on Friday as most Asian currencies weakened against the US dollar, which retained its overnight gains. This shift was primarily fueled by signs of continued economic weakness in China. Despite some optimism over easing inflation and interest rates in the United States, the impact of sluggish recovery in Asia’s largest economy outweighed positive sentiments.
Recent Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data from China revealed little improvement in business activity in February, with the country’s manufacturing sector shrinking for the fifth consecutive month. The Chinese yuan also suffered a 0.1% decline and remained close to its recent three-month lows, reflecting the challenges faced by manufacturers in China.
Traders are closely monitoring the situation, as there is speculation that the Federal Reserve may consider cutting rates in the summer. Currently, there is a 30% chance of no rate change and a 56% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut, according to market pricing. As the US dollar displays strength, currencies like the Japanese yen, Australian dollar, and Indian rupee are experiencing fluctuations based on economic indicators and data points.
With the focus shifting towards key GDP data expected next week, the overall Asian FX market remains impacted by the ongoing struggles in China’s manufacturing sector and the broader economic landscape.