empty
26.04.2022 12:08 PM
Yuan plunging while yen struggling to stay afloat

This image is no longer relevant

The US dollar continues to strengthen against the Chinese and Japanese currencies, with the yuan being the main outsider so far.

Over the past 5 days, the renminbi has demonstrated the worst dynamics among all Asian currencies against the US dollar, having dropped by 3%.

To support the yuan, the People's Bank of China cut the amount of money the banks must set aside for their foreign-currency holdings. This decision was announced on Monday evening.

The new policy will come into force in mid-May. From now on, Chinese banks will need to hold 8% of their foreign exchange in reserve, down from the 9% requirement.

This measure is supposed to increase the supply of US dollars and other foreign currencies in the domestic market. This should support the yuan and reduce the USD/CNY rate.

However, the news about the reduction of foreign exchange reserves is not helping the yuan much. This morning, CNY posted another record drop.

The yuan slipped by 681 pips against the US dollar, marking its sharpest decline in 7 years. The last time it posted such losses was in August 2015.

In the early session, the yuan was trading at 6.5590 per dollar, which is another yearly low.

The pressure on the renminbi comes from the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. The ongoing lockdown in Shanghai and the resulting disruption to production and supply chains pose a threat to the Chinese economy.

The continuing lockdown in China can also lead to a slowdown in global economic growth. This is another factor that strengthens the position of the greenback. Now the American currency is considered the main safe-haven asset among investors.

In addition, USD is receiving strong support from the Fed. In order to curb inflation inflicted by the geopolitical crisis, the US regulator intends to raise interest rates more aggressively in May.

The hawkish stance of the Fed officials has a negative impact on the Japanese yen. Despite rapidly growing consumer prices, the Bank of Japan still adheres to a soft monetary policy.

The yen fell to a 20-year low of 129.40 last week. At the beginning of the week, the Japanese currency slightly recovered against the dollar to 128.16.

This image is no longer relevant

Nevertheless, the short-term outlook for both the Japanese and Chinese currencies remains pessimistic. The dollar now appears to be dominating the international financial arena.

Аlena Ivannitskaya,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

Gold slips, stocks sink: what India, Germany and the Fed have in common

Equities are falling on stalled tariff agreements ahead of the Fed decision. Gold is sliding on renewed US-China talks. UK and India have clinched a major trade pact. Friedrich Merz

12:36 2025-05-07 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 7

The major US stock indices closed in negative territory, with the S&P 500 down 0.8% amid growing uncertainty about trade policy and anticipation of new comments from the Federal Reserve

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:20 2025-05-07 UTC+2

Gold falls, stocks plunge: What India, Germany and the Fed have in common

Stocks fall on lack of tariff deals ahead of Fed policy decision Gold falls on hopes for US-China trade talks; UK, India reach trade deal after 3-year talks Germany's Merz

Thomas Frank 07:05 2025-05-07 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 6, 2025

The US stock market opened the week in turmoil. Berkshire Hathaway shares were trading under pressure after Warren Buffett had Stepped down as CEO. Investors are concerned about the company's

Ekaterina Kiseleva 13:52 2025-05-06 UTC+2

$9 Billion for Skechers, falling indices, and surge in Asian stocks

Berkshire Hathaway slips after Warren Buffett steps down as CEO. The US services sector shows growth in April. Skechers surges following a $9 billion privatization deal. Investors await trade agreements

13:26 2025-05-06 UTC+2

Skechers' $9B, Indexes Sink, Asia Surges: A Day of Change

Berkshire Hathaway Slips After Buffett Steps Down as CEO U.S. Services Sector Rising in April Skechers Jumps After $9B Privatization Deal Investors Await U.S.-Partner Trade Deals Asian Currencies in Focus

Thomas Frank 07:41 2025-05-06 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for March 17

US stock indexes, including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, ended the week confidently in positive territory. This was largely due to encouraging developments in trade talks with China and resilient

Ekaterina Kiseleva 13:32 2025-05-05 UTC+2

Europe on pause: What's behind the stock market plunge and Trump's unexpected activity

European stocks fell slightly; STOXX 600 - minus 0.1%, France - minus 0.3% Investors await data on US-China talks, earnings and Fed decision Trump: 100% tariffs on foreign films, Alcatraz

Thomas Frank 11:34 2025-05-05 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 2

US equity indices continue to climb despite lingering economic uncertainty. Investor optimism is being driven by expectations of progress in trade talks between the US and China. Nevertheless, ongoing economic

Ekaterina Kiseleva 13:14 2025-05-02 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for May 1

The US stock market weathered notable volatility in April, but a successful rally helped major indices recoup losses. Despite data showing a 0.3% contraction in US GDP for the first

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:54 2025-05-01 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.