Standard Chartered today announced that the Standard Chartered Renminbi Globalisation Index, the RGI, rose to 2,137 in January, up 2.3% from the previous month – the fastest gain in eight months. Cross-border Renminbi payments remained the biggest contributor to the index, followed by CNH FX turnover. The performance of CNH deposits was mixed, with Hong Kong falling 2.2% month-on-month in January while those in Taiwan and South Korea edged higher after a lacklustre fourth-quarter.

RMB exchange rates

USD/CNY spot continues to climb higher in the first quarter. China’s subdued growth-inflation mix, combined with monetary easing, reinforces near-term upside to USD/CNY. With spot trading close to the top of the onshore band, there has been much speculation over the possibility of a further band widening. Authorities will likely be cautious about the timing and manner of this move, with any brand widening unlikely until at least the second half. Recent comments by PBoC officials suggested that the authorities see there is no “urgent need” to adjust the band in 2015.

CNH rates have been hovering around their historical high levels in recent weeks. Liquidity tightness in the CNH market is expected to persist in the near future as FX is likely to stay under pressure and leading to continuing CNH liquidity outflows with USD/CNH to continue trading at a discount over USD/CNY. Also, outflow under the capital account is likely to also persist with northbound flows under the Shanghai-Hong Kong stock connect programme exceeding southbound.

Direct KRW-CNY trading market continues to perform strongly, with daily trading volume rising to US$974 million on average in March from US$880 million in December. In terms of trade settlement, it is still a slow market but more participation from the corporate sector is expected on the back of more government incentives, such as the offering of transaction fee reduction benefits to market makers. This could encourage financial institutions to encourage more corporate clients to participate in the market with fewer fees involved.