After China’s surprise devaluation of the yuan by 1.9% last Tuesday, the Chinese currency was devalued by another 1.6% on Wednesday.1 Policymakers appear to be following a pattern of setting the daily fix, which sets the center point for trading during that day, with reference to the market price at the close of the previous day. Invesco Fixed Income believes that further devaluations are likely as the People’s Bank of China (PBoC), the country’s central bank, acquiesces to market pressure and price movements over time.
‘Dirty float’ strategy confirmed
Last Tuesday, the PBoC intervened in the currency market at the end of the day to apparently limit depreciation of the exchange rate into the market’s close. This confirms our view that China is likely pursuing a so-called “dirty float” — a floating exchange rate system in which a government or central bank occasionally intervenes to affect the value of its country’s currency in a managed fashion. With this intervention, we believe the PBoC aims to control the speed of the yuan’s depreciation to prevent it from declining too rapidly. It remains to be seen how effectively the authorities will be able to manage the yuan’s fall. Further yuan depreciation is likely, in our view, and we anticipate competitive devaluations down the line among China’s trading partners, especially in Asia.
Interpreting these devaluations
There appears to be some confusion locally and abroad about the rationale for Tuesday’s decision to alter the currency regime for the first time in more than two decades. The domestic Chinese press discusses the move in terms of needed reform to make the yuan more market driven, perhaps making it more likely to be included in the International Monetary Fund’s Special Drawing Rights (SDR) basket of international reserve currencies. SDRs serve to supplement member countries’ official reserves. An additional interpretation is that the devaluation could help boost exports to support economic growth. Both views are valid.
The bigger picture
In our view, China’s recent currency regime change fits into a broader story: Major economic blocs have adjusted their currencies in recent years to reignite growth and combat disinflationary and deflationary pressures caused by the long cycle of deleveraging following the great financial crisis.
We believe that we’re moving into an environment of ongoing depreciation of the yuan to boost growth, offset deflationary pressure and manage high debt loads within the Chinese economy. Similar policy action occurred beginning two years ago in Japan and a year later in Europe. In our view, China’s move opens the Asia chapter.
Competitive devaluations across the globe aren’t possible without affecting all major economies, as indicated by the current volatility upswing in global markets in response to China’s latest policy action. Although the need for Chinese stimulus has been clear, our core view had been that the Chinese authorities would proceed without using its currency as a policy tool. Instead, China has apparently put the yuan in play. The impact of this move will extend to many markets and have several implications. In our view:
- We’re entering a period of US dollar appreciation versus non-Japan Asia. Therefore, we are reallocating our currency views to be short non-Japan Asia, namely Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and China.
- The yuan devaluation is positive for both European and US government bonds, in our view. The deflationary impact of a weaker yuan and non-Japan Asia currencies is likely to lead to declines in long-maturity government bond yields in Europe and the US and lead to yield curve flattening.
- Yuan devaluation probably means the Federal Reserve (Fed) will need to tighten less. While we believe the Fed will likely raise interest rates by the end of this year, possibly as soon as September, China’s move may decrease the amount of tightening necessary, ultimately reducing the terminal fed funds rate and effectively limiting the level of US interest rates.
- In general, riskier assets, such as stocks and credit assets, are likely to come under some pressure in the face of deflationary pressures. We believe Asia and emerging market credit in general are likely to be the most pressured, while European credit is likely to be the most isolated.
Please see my previous post Chinese yuan devaluation surprises markets for additional background.
1 Source: Cornerstone Macro, Aug. 12, 2015
Important information
Disinflation, a slowing in the rate of price inflation, describes instances when the inflation rate has reduced marginally over the short term.
Deflation is a decrease in the general price level of goods and services that occurs when the inflation rate falls below 0%.
Deleveraging refers to a company’s attempt to decrease its financial leverage, such as by immediately paying off existing debt on its balance sheet.
The yield curve plots interest rates, at a set point in time, of bonds having equal credit quality but differing maturity dates to project future interest rate changes and economic activity.
The fed funds rate is the rate at which banks lend balances to each other overnight.
Investments in companies located or operating in Greater China are subject to the following risks: nationalization, expropriation, or confiscation of property, difficulty in obtaining and/or enforcing judgments, alteration or discontinuation of economic reforms, military conflicts, and China’s dependency on the economies of other Asian countries, many of which are developing countries.
The dollar value of foreign investments will be affected by changes in the exchange rates between the dollar and the currencies in which those investments are traded.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation of the suitability of any investment strategy for a particular investor. Invesco does not provide tax advice. The tax information contained herein is general and is not exhaustive by nature. Federal and state tax laws are complex and constantly changing. Investors should always consult their own legal or tax professional for information concerning their individual situation. The opinions expressed are those of the authors, are based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice. These opinions may differ from those of other Invesco investment professionals.
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