China Economics Update PBOC still far from exhausting reserves The idea that the People’s Bank is running out of FX reserves doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. But the fact that many take it seriously is a sign of how far sentiment has swung against China. 15th February 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Will capital controls work? Many countries facing balance of payments strains have found that large outflows continue even after they tighten capital controls. China though stands a better chance of success. The capital account... 4th February 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update What would convince us we’re wrong on China? If the economy doesn’t show signs of a turnaround in coming months, we would have to downgrade our relatively upbeat view of China’s economic prospects. But we would need to see evidence of clear... 1st February 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Tumultous start to 2016 Chinese equities have already lost nearly a quarter of their value so far this year. Meanwhile, the renminbi is once again tracking the dollar closely and skirting the weak edge of its apparent trade... 29th January 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update China, growth star Markets appear convinced that China is in the midst of an economic crisis. Yet even on the basis of our relatively downbeat measure of China’s growth, it remains one of the world’s fastest-growing... 25th January 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update PBOC moves to keep interbank rates inside its new corridor Large injections of liquidity into the banking system by the People’s Bank (PBOC) have grabbed headlines today. The moves have more to do with offsetting the usual spike in liquidity demand ahead of... 21st January 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update GDP breakdown suggests policy support is gaining traction The GDP data, once the impact of the swings in China's stock market are stripped out, add weight to what our China Activity Proxy has been suggesting for some time – that growth in the real economy... 20th January 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Could Hong Kong’s peg survive a speculative attack? A shift in market expectations about China’s exchange rate has put Hong Kong’s peg to the US dollar under fresh scrutiny. But despite the surge in speculation, we think the peg will stay for years to... 19th January 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Another look at China’s trade data The latest trade data are a challenge to those who believe that China’s export sector needs renminbi depreciation to compete or that China’s economy is continuing to slow. 13th January 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update What is driving capital out of China? The recent flood of capital leaving China has been driven primarily by increased scepticism that the People’s Bank will hold to its pledge to keep the renminbi stable. The fact that the PBOC has ended... 12th January 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Economy slow but still stable despite market meltdown China’s equity markets continue to tumble, its currency is under unprecedented pressure and Chinese policymakers’ reputation for competence is looking ever more tarnished. Contrary to many of the... 11th January 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Inflation picking up The weekend’s inflation data should provide a respite from fears that China’s economy and financial markets are collapsing. We foresee another rise in consumer price inflation, which should further... 7th January 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update How long can the PBOC hold on? The willingness of the People’s Bank to sell over $100bn of foreign exchange reserves last month is a measure of its belief that a stable currency is in China’s interests and that current downward... 7th January 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update When might things improve? This week’s declines in China’s stock markets and currency raise a challenge to our relatively upbeat view of near-term prospects. But we continue to believe that growth is more likely to pick up than... 6th January 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Basket shift adds to depreciation pressure Strong hints from the People’s Bank that it is shifting the focus of its exchange rate management to a trade-weighted currency basket have intensified expectations of further renminbi declines. But... 23rd December 2015 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Further signs that the economy is turning a corner China’s activity data for November provide further evidence that policy easing has helped to stabilise the economy. We continue to expect conditions to improve over the coming months. 14th December 2015 · 1 min read