Allianz Global Investors: latest move by the People´s Bank of China to devalue the Renminbi by almost 2% remarks the biggest daily deprecation since 1994

The latest move by the People´s Bank of China (PBoC) to devalue the Renminbi (RMB) by almost 2% remarks the biggest daily deprecation since 1994. While surprised by many investors, the exchange rate reforms are complementary with ongoing capital account liberalization measures. However, from this perspective, the RMB exchange rate will be more market-oriented going forward, and the volatility of the RMB – both in the onshore (CNY) and in the offshore (CNH) FX rate – will pick up in the current market conditions.

MUNICH, 21-8-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — While the PBOC will likely use open market FX operations to try to reduce sharp volatilities and to avoid sharp capital outflows as the market starts to price in further depreciation potential, we do not expect a double-digit depreciation. However, we may see some further depreciation of the RMB vs. the USD going forward within the actual trading band of +/-2% – the daily trading price of the USD against the RMB in the interbank foreign exchange market is allowed to float within a narrow band of 2% around the central parity –, given the likelihood of divergent monetary policy unfolding between the Fed raising interest rates and PBoC seen easing monetary policy further (via e.g. an interest rate cut and cuts in the Reserve Requirement Ratio).

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) welcomed the PBoC’s new exchange mechanism, although the Fund noted that the change has no direct implications for the criteria used in determining the composition of the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) basket. The IMF said further that the economy can and should aim to achieve an effectively floating exchange rate system in 2-3 years. Hence, a band widening would be the next logical step in a shift to a much more flexible exchange. More so, as the government recently talked about band widening explicitly as a policy objective. However, the Chinese government will want to wait until the new fixing methodology materialized and market expectations have stabilized before widening the bands, but it may happen earlier than the market is expecting.

On top of that, the perception of the risk premium regarding China and its currency may change, as China’s currency has been known as a steady and appreciation based currency over the past decade. This will lead to higher volatility per se as investors adapt to this new kind of environment. In terms of contagion, the volatility for other Asian currencies may raise as well in the foreseeable future. In particular, Asian currencies such as the Australian Dollar (AUD), the Korean Won (KRW), the Taiwanese Dollar (TWD) and the Singapore Dollar (SGD) are seen as being more sensitive to China’s FX policy compared to other currencies in the region.

Forward-looking statements

The statements contained herein may include prospects, statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

Such deviations may arise due to, without limitation, (i) changes of the general economic conditions and competitive situation, particularly in the Allianz Group’s core business and core markets, (ii) performance of financial markets (particularly market volatility, liquidity and credit events) (iii) frequency and severity of insured loss events, including from natural catastrophes, and the development of loss expenses, (iv) mortality and morbidity levels and trends, (v) persistency levels, (vi) particularly in the banking business, the extent of credit defaults, (vii) interest rate levels, (viii) currency exchange rates including the Euro/U.S. Dollar exchange rate, (ix) changes in laws and regulations, including tax regulations, (x) the impact of acquisitions, including related integration issues, and reorganization measures, and (xi) general competitive factors, in each case on a local, regional, national and/or global basis. Many of these factors may be more likely to occur, or more pronounced, as a result of terrorist activities and their consequences.

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The company assumes no obligation to update any information or forward-looking statement contained herein, save for any information required to be disclosed by law.

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Stefanie Waldeck
Allianz Global Investors
Phone +49 69 263 14670
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Stefan Scheurer, Senior Strategist Global Capital Markets & Thematic Research, Global Economics & Strategy, at Allianz Global Investors

Stefan Scheurer, Senior Strategist Global Capital Markets & Thematic Research, Global Economics & Strategy, at Allianz Global Investors

SOURCE: Allianz SE

 

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