China’s central bank said it will inject 1.2 trillion yuan ($173.8 billion) worth of liquidity into the markets via reverse repo operations on Monday, as the country prepares to reopen its stock markets amid a new coronavirus outbreak.
China’s authorities have pledged to use various monetary policy tools to ensure liquidity remains reasonably ample and to support companies affected by the virus epidemic, which has so far claimed 305 lives, all but one in China.
The People’s Bank of China made the announcement in a statement published on its website on Sunday, adding the total liquidity in the banking system will be 900 billion yuan higher than the same period in 2019 after the injection.
According to Reuters calculations based on official central bank data, 1.05 trillion yuan worth of reverse repos are set to mature on Monday, meaning that 150 billion yuan in net cash will be injected.
Investors are bracing for a volatile session in Chinese markets when onshore trades resume on Monday after a break for the Lunar New Year which was extended by the government.
China’s stock, currency and bond markets have all been closed since Jan. 23 and had been due to reopen last Friday. (more…)