Yet again a shout-out to Chinese equity markets, up strongly to finish the week. Earlier this week we saw the same, which was attributed to a social-media rumour of an end to Xi’s damaging ‘zero’ COVID policy. There is similar chatter again today. And also of further ‘national team’ buying (i.e. officially sanctioned stock market support buying).

Meanwhile the yuan has crept higher also. The People’s Bank of China kicked off trading in the official onshore currency by setting the reference rate stronger (for the CNY) than expected despite another broad surge for the USD Thursday in Europe/US time.

Elsewhere across major FX the USD lost some of its broad gains it had on Thursday. The US nonfarm payroll report is due later today.

china stock 04 November 2022