The USD/CNH pair is displaying wild gyrations as China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported upbeat official PMI data. The Official Manufacturing PMI has landed at 50.1, higher than the consensus of 49.7 and the prior release of 49.0. Also, the Non-Manufacturing PMI has soared to 54.4 from the projections of 51.0 and the prior release of 41.6. The scale of economic activities in the Chinese economy improved significantly in January despite the households being busy celebrating the Lunar New Year festival.
However, the major catalyst that will trigger a power-pack action in the Chinese Yuan will be the Caixin Manufacturing PMI data, which will release on Wednesday. The economic data might advance to 49.5 from the prior release of 49.0.
Firms in the Chinese economy are operating at maximum capacity as the administration has removed restrictions over the movement of men, materials, and machines. A Reuters poll showed that China's economic growth is likely to rebound to 4.9% in 2023, before steadying in 2024, as policymakers pledge to step up support for the COVID-ravaged economy. Also, the poll showed that the People’s Bank of China will cut Loan Prime Rate (LPR) by 5 basis points (bps) in the first quarter of CY2023.
Meanwhile, the risk-off impulse is regaining traction as the S&P500 futures have surrendered more than half gains generated in early Asia. The risk-perceived assets are likely to remain on the tenterhooks as the Federal Reserve (Fed) is set to hike interest rates further to achieve the 2% inflation target. Fed chair Jerome Powell is expected to announce a 25 basis point (bps) interest rate hike as the consumer spending and Producer Price Index (PPI) have significantly dropped in the United States economy.