ForexLive Asia-Pacific FX news wrap: Awaiting US CPI data

Small
ranges prevailed during Asia time with many traders content to wait
until the US inflation data later.

Data
events during the session here were lower-tier. We had PPI data from
Japan coming in higher than expected. Renewed yen weakness pushed up
import costs for some goods. At the margin, an argument can be made
that the data was supportive of a nearer-term Bank of Japan rate
hike. Against this is, of course, is the new political pressure on the
Bank to not hike until wages are seen rising at the next round of
wage negotiations in (Japan’s) spring. Many months away. The Bank of
Japan next meet on December 18 – 19.

USD/JPY
moved a little higher, but didn’t get to 155.00. As I post its
around the middle of its session range circa 154.80.

Data
from Australia showed wage growth moderating a little. This is not
sufficient for the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut its cash rate any
time soon. The next meeting is December 9 – 10, and then in
February (17 – 18).

Earlier
this week People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng emphasized
that the Bank will not let the yuan plummet without a fight:

  • Will
    step up countercyclical adjustment
  • Should
    resolutely guard against the risk of exchange rate overshoot

Today
the Bank set the USD/CNY reference rate more than 300 points lower
than model estimates (ie a stronger yuan). The Bank delivered on its
word to support the yuan. Offshore yuan has jumped (lower USD/CNH).

Bitcoin
sat near US$88K.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.

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