Why sharp yuan appreciation or depreciation is unlikely in 2019
Since the central government described the Chinese yuan as a 'stable' currency, we have seen some structural changes in the movements of USD/CNY. This is why we're revising our forecasts of USD/CNY and USD/CNH
The 'two sessions' structurally changed yuan movements
After the 'two sessions' in March, the USD/CNY and USD/CNH have traded in narrow ranges as yuan stability is one of the big focuses of the Chinese government. And now, it is beginning to look clearer that yuan stability means the central bank manages the yuan movements in a narrow range.
Onshore yuan depreciated 0.2% against the dollar in March, and so far has dropped 0.3% in April (until 29/4/2019). These narrow range bounds are very different from the movements observed in the first two months of 2019 when the yuan appreciated 2.45% against the dollar.
We are forecasting USD/CNY to touch 6.75 by the end of 2Q19 and 6.80 by the end of 3Q19, which is equivalent to 1.89% and 1.16% year to date appreciation
It's important to note that not only has the range narrowed, but the direction has also changed from yuan appreciation to yuan depreciation.
We believe the change in direction, albeit small in substance, is a way for China to show that its yuan policy is independent from the influence of other countries. We think this is a snub to the Trump administration who said that the yuan cannot depreciate if there is a US-China trade deal.
Where is the yuan headed after a trade deal is finalised?
Even though we have few clues about when a trade deal between the US and China will be signed, we need to think about the path of the yuan when it eventually is. We think the narrow range bound may not change even after there is a deal.
China will probably want market stability at the beginning of the trade deal, and not add more uncertainty when both sides begin with the implementation. Moreover, we don't think the execution of the trade deal will be smooth, also noting that the US is pressurising its allies to refrain from using China’s 5G equipment.
We don't think a sharp yuan appreciation or depreciation is likely for the political environment in 2019
We're ruling out a sharp yuan appreciation because we believe that will be interpreted as appeasing the US, which is probably politically incorrect from Beijing's point of view and we think a substantial yuan depreciation would only be possible if China wants to pick a fight with the US, at the cost of increasing market concern about capital flight from the country and this seems highly unlikely.
So, neither a sharp yuan appreciation nor depreciation is likely for the political environment in 2019.
Revising USD/CNY and USD/CNH forecasts
At the time of writing this article, USD/CNY spot was near 6.73 and has depreciated from 6.71 since the end of 1Q19.
We are forecasting USD/CNY to touch 6.75 by the end of 2Q19 and 6.80 by the end of 3Q19, which is equivalent to 1.89% and 1.16% year to date appreciation, respectively. Our previous forecasts for 2Q and 3Q were 6.85.
We maintain our 4Q19 forecast at 6.75, which suggests the yuan is going to appreciate by 2.62% in 2019.
Download
Download article
3 May 2019
What’s happening in Australia and around the world? This bundle contains 8 articles
"THINK Outside" is a collection of specially commissioned content from third-party sources, such as economic think-tanks and academic institutions, that ING deems reliable and from non-research departments within ING. ING Bank N.V. ("ING") uses these sources to expand the range of opinions you can find on the THINK website. Some of these sources are not the property of or managed by ING, and therefore ING cannot always guarantee the correctness, completeness, actuality and quality of such sources, nor the availability at any given time of the data and information provided, and ING cannot accept any liability in this respect, insofar as this is permissible pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations.
This publication does not necessarily reflect the ING house view. This publication has been prepared solely for information purposes without regard to any particular user's investment objectives, financial situation, or means. The information in the publication is not an investment recommendation and it is not investment, legal or tax advice or an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any financial instrument. Reasonable care has been taken to ensure that this publication is not untrue or misleading when published, but ING does not represent that it is accurate or complete. ING does not accept any liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from any use of this publication. Unless otherwise stated, any views, forecasts, or estimates are solely those of the author(s), as of the date of the publication and are subject to change without notice.
The distribution of this publication may be restricted by law or regulation in different jurisdictions and persons into whose possession this publication comes should inform themselves about, and observe, such restrictions.
Copyright and database rights protection exists in this report and it may not be reproduced, distributed or published by any person for any purpose without the prior express consent of ING. All rights are reserved.
ING Bank N.V. is authorised by the Dutch Central Bank and supervised by the European Central Bank (ECB), the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) and the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). ING Bank N.V. is incorporated in the Netherlands (Trade Register no. 33031431 Amsterdam).