The People's Bank of China set the onshore yuan reference rate at its weakest since January 19 today, which allowed USD/CNY to trade higher, to around 7.2551 and levels not seen since the middle of November last year. The weakness in the onshore yuan prompted major Chinese State Banks to sell USD/CNY to support the yuan. These banks often act on behalf of the People’s Bank of China to intervene in the market when instructed to do so.

Elsewhere major FX was relatively subdued. AUD/USD drifted back from highs above 0.6610 to around 0.6590. News dropped earlier in the session of an AUD1.2bn takeover offer made by Bain for an Australian retailer of automotive parts and accessories (Bapcor). You’d think that’d be bullish for the AUD but by the time news of such developments hits the headlines you can bet your farm that Bain (in this case) had well and truly bought enough AUD for whatever hedge it needed for their bid. Data from Australia today showed a slip for business conditions and confidence in May. The inflation details in the report showed it edging a little higher, which is not a comfort for the RBA.

USD/JPY ticked higher, tracking back to just over 157.30. There were no obvious fresh catalysts.

This is the offshore yuan (USD/CNH), responding to the yuan intervention (conducted in USD/CNY):

usdcnh 11 June 2024 wrap 11 June 2024 2