Chart of the day - USDCNH (27.06.2023)

• The PBoC set a stronger-than-expected daily reference rate for the yuan
• Reverse repo operation injects liquidity into the offshore yuan
• Economic challenges persist in China, with weak growth and rising youth unemployment, but robust measures are being taken to support the yuan

In an attempt to counter investor pessimism surrounding China's economic challenges, including weak growth and surging youth unemployment, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) has taken decisive action. The PBoC set the daily reference rate for the yuan stronger than market expectations, aiming to bolster the currency and exhibit its control over monetary policy. 

• The PBoC set the midpoint rate USDCNY at 7.2098 per US dollar prior to market open, weaker than the previous fix of 7.2056, but nearly 100 pips stronger than consensus estimates and compared with the last close of 7.2425.

This move was interpreted as a sign of the PBOC's reluctance to let the yuan depreciate rapidly, despite the bearish pressure on the currency due to the weakening economic outlook.

Complementing the PBOC's intervention, the bank carried out a reverse repo operation last night injecting liquidity worth 37 billion yuan. This action, combined with previous interventions, has added a total of 219 billion yuan (equivalent to USD 30.4 billion) during the last seven days. The reverse repo operation was conducted at an interest rate of 1.9%.