Asia FX ticks higher, yuan hits 16-mth high on China stimulus cheer

Investing.com– Most Asian currencies rose slightly on Wednesday as persistent bets on interest rate cuts dented the dollar, while the Chinese yuan hit a 16-month high on optimism over more stimulus measures. 

The Australian dollar and the New Zealand dollar both clocked strong gains on their exposure to China, while the Japanese yen steadied after a slightly stronger reading on producer inflation.

Regional currencies remained largely upbeat after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates last week and announced the start of an easing cycle that is widely expected to drive more capital flows into Asia. 

The dollar index and dollar index futures fell 0.2% each in Asian trade, with focus turning to an upcoming address by Fed Chair Jerome Powell, and PCE price index data due later in the week. 

Chinese yuan at 16-mth high on stimulus cheer 

The Chinese yuan was the best performer among its peers this week, with the USDCNY pair falling 0.2% to its lowest level since May 2023. 

The yuan surged after Beijing announced a slew of stimulus measures on Tuesday, including a cut to banks’ reserve requirements, as well as lower mortgage rates.

The moves pushed up hopes for a Chinese economic recovery, with increased liquidity expected to help offset a deflationary trend in the country.

But analysts said that more measures, especially target fiscal steps, were needed to support the Chinese economy. 

Australian dollar steady amid mixed CPI, hawkish RBA 

The Australian dollar’s AUDUSD pair steadied just below a 19-month high on Wednesday, after rallying sharply in the prior session on the China boost and a hawkish Reserve Bank.

Consumer price index data released on Wednesday showed inflation fell to a three-year low in August, while declines in core inflation were less pronounced. 

Still, the drop in inflation was driven largely by government programs aimed at curbing high electricity prices, introduced earlier in the year.

The RBA held interest rates steady on Tuesday, and said that while inflation was expected to fall in the near-term, it only expected price pressures to sustainably reach its target range by 2026.

Governor Michele Bullock struck a slightly less hawkish stance when speaking after the RBA’s decision on Tuesday. But she did say the central bank had no plans to cut interest rates in the near-term.

The New Zealand dollar’s NZDUSD pair steadied near its strongest levels for the year. 

Broader Asian currencies were somewhat mixed. The Japanese yen’s USDJPY pair steadied at 143.3 yen after corporate services price index data read slightly higher-than-expected for August, indicating producer prices increased. 

The Singapore dollar’s USDSGD pair was mildly lower, while the South Korean won’s USDKRW pair rose 0.3%.

The Indian rupee’s USDINR pair fell 0.1% as it extended a recovery from record highs hit earlier in September.