After Moody’s cut their outlook for China on Tuesday Chinese State Banks intervened to buy CNY against US dollars. China further ramped up its support for the yuan again on Wednesday, with the People’s Bank of China setting the CNY stronger than expectations at the daily reference rate. Of course, this is not unusual, the Bank has been doing so for months now. However, there was also further spot FX intervention with reports once again of State Banks selling USD/CNY.

News and data flow was otherwise fairly quiet. We did get the Q3 economic growth data from Australia, which came in weak at +0.2% q/q, the slowest in two years, vs the +0.4% consensus estimate. Growth was supported by government spending and mining-related capex. The Australian and New Zealand dollars moved more or less steadily higher vs. USD, though, helped along by positive global sentiment surrounding economic growth and lower rates to come. CAD gained against the big dollar also, as did GBP. EUR is a notable laggard, although it didn’t drop.

USD/JPY traded higher. We had Bank of Japan deputy governor Himino speaking today. He canvassed a change of policy ahead, talking out loud about what might happen if rates go positive, but did emphasize that loose policy will remain until the inflation target is in sight in a sustainable and stable manner.

Remarks from US Treasury Secretary Yellen crossed news wires, Yellen saying that she is not seeing signs of a weakening labour market that would bring fears of recession, and that demand continues to power the US economy forward at trend-growth-like rates.

In news related to oil, Venezuela’s President Venezuela said that the Esequiba Region of Western Guyana is now an “Official” Territory of Venezuela. He is planning to issue oil, gas and mining licenses for the region to state-owned oil and mining companies PDVSA and CVG.

Japan is considering a proposal that would see cryptocurrencies held for purposes other than short-term trading made exempt from corporate tax based on mark-to-market valuations at the end of each fiscal year.

Bitcoin hit USD $44K:

btc Japan tax wrap chart 06 December 2023