CNH: USD/CNH Ticks Up, PBoC Vows To Keep Yuan Basically Stable

Apr-28 03:19

USD/CNH is holding close to session highs (7.2986), last near 7.2950/50. We are modestly higher, in line with a tick up in USD index levels. The broader USD index though, USD/CNH remains within recent ranges. Support remains evident in the low 7.2800 region, while recent highs remain intact close to 7.3350.

  • The headlines crossing from the press conference aimed at stabilizing the economy and supporting the jobs market haven't shifted market sentiment greatly. It still appears more monetary stimulus is on the way, but the authorities will enact such moves in a timely manner.  Contingency plans will also be put in place.
  • No doubt the authorizes are waiting to see how the trade/tariff conflict with the US unfolds.  The NRDC stated it was still confident of hitting this year's growth target.  
  • On the yuan, the PBOC vowed to keep the currency basically stable.
  • the bias for the currency is likely to remain for any fresh depreciation pressures to remain gradual/steady, with focus on where tariff levels end up. A higher average tariff rate for China compared to the rest of the world is still likely to bias CNH weaker on key crosses like EUR and CNH.
  • In the equity space today, trends have been very steady as has been the case in the past few weeks. The CSI 300 remains close to 3800 in latest dealings. 

Historical bullets

USDCAD TECHS: Bullish Outlook

Mar-28 21:00
  • RES 4: 1.4700 Round number resistance
  • RES 3: 1.4641 76.4% retracement of the Feb 3 - 14 bear leg
  • RES 2: 1.4452/4543 High Mar 13 / 4 and a bull trigger
  • RES 1: 1.4402 High Mar 20 
  • PRICE: 1.4292 @ 16:50 GMT Mar 28
  • SUP 1: 1.4235 Low Mar 26 and a key near-term support   
  • SUP 2: 1.4151/4107 Low Feb 14 / 50.0% of Sep 25 - Feb 3 bull run
  • SUP 3: 1.4011 Low Dec 5 ‘24
  • SUP 4: 1.3944 61.8% retracement of the Sep 25 ‘24 - Feb 3 bull cycle

USDCAD traded through support at 1.4242 on Wednesday but has recovered. A return lower and clearance of this level would undermine the bull theme and instead highlight potential for a test of 1.4151, the Feb 14 low and a bear trigger. Moving average studies continue to highlight a dominant uptrend. A reversal higher would refocus attention on the bull trigger at 1.4543, the Mar 4 high. First resistance is 1.4402, the Mar 20 high.      

US FISCAL: Debt Limit "Extraordinary Measures" Pick Up, But Cash Dipping Pre-Tax

Mar-28 20:42

Treasury data shows that there were $207B of "extraordinary measures" available to circumvent hitting the debt limit as of Wednesday Mar 26. 

  • That's the most since Jan 27th and up from $163B a week earlier, from a total $376B available.
  • However, Treasury cash in the TGA fell to $316B as of the 26th (and was down to $280B on Thursday), meaning there were a combined $523B of resources available to avert the debt limit, the lowest since the impasse began in January (and half of the starting amount of just over $1T).
  • The next couple of weeks will be very important for Treasury, as they represent the biggest tax  take of the year. The Congressional Budget Office reported this week that per its estimates "if the debt limit [$36.1T] remains unchanged, the government's ability to borrow using extraordinary measures will probably be exhausted in August or September 2025." Treasury wrote to Congress this month that they would be able  to provide an update on the x-date in the first half of May, after the conclusion of tax season.
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AUDUSD TECHS: Remains Above Support

Mar-28 20:30
  • RES 4: 0.6429 High Dec 12 ‘24
  • RES 3: 0.6414 38.2% retracement of the Sep 30 ‘24 - Feb 3 bear leg              
  • RES 2: 0.6409 High Feb 21 and a bull trigger 
  • RES 1: 0.6391 High Mar 17 / 18 
  • PRICE: 0.6291 @ 16:46 GMT Mar 28
  • SUP 1: 0.6258 Low Mar 21
  • SUP 2: 0.6187 Low Feb 4
  • SUP 3: 0.6171/6088 Low Feb 4 / 3 and a key support
  • SUP 4: 0.6045 1.500 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing

AUDUSD is unchanged. A short-term bull theme is intact and the latest move down appears corrective. Key short-term support to watch is 0.6187, the Mar 4 low. Clearance of this level would reinstate a bear threat. First support is at 0.6258, the Mar 21 low. A stronger recovery would refocus attention on 0.6409, the Feb 21 high. Clearance of this hurdle would strengthen the bull cycle and resume the uptrend that started Feb 3.