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China cuts rates

China cuts rates on reverse repos

  • the rate on 7-day reverse repos goes to 2.4% from previously at 2.5%
  • on 14-day RRs goes to 2.55% from 2.65%
This is part of stimulus efforts to combat the negative economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak and spread.
There was a big injection of funds today (but there is a but):
  • 900bn yuan added via 7 day RRs
  • 300bn via 14-dayers

The short-term dollar funding market is feeling the squeeze

The repo market isn’t healthy

The combination of corporate debt issuance and quarterly tax payments resulted in a shortage of dollars today. That pushed the borrowing rate on overnight repos up by 153 basis points to 3.80%.
A similar phenomenon took place last December and caused much hand-wringing (but ultimately little FX movement).
The timing of this move is particularly interesting because it comes ahead of the Fed decision. There will be some focus on the Fed funds effective rate today and whether it rises from the 2.14% level today. The FOMC targets 2.00-2.25% currently and there’s talk that it’s trading at 2.20%.
Today’s move might have sparked some outright USD buying rather than borrowing among corporates and that could be what’s weighing on EUR/USD.
Keep an eye on how it develops tomorrow.
The repo market isn't healthy
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