Investing.com-- Most Asian currencies were tepid on Monday as the dollar dipped after Moody’s downgraded the U.S. government’s credit rating, while China’s resilient factory data failed to revive the yuan.
Bucking the regional trend, the Japanese yen edged higher on expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike
The US Dollar Index, which measures the greenback against a basket of major currencies, fell 0.3%.
This follows global ratings agency Moody’s downgrading its investment grade rating on the U.S. by a notch over the country’s growing $36 trillion debt.
China’s April industrial production resilient, retail sales disappoint
Data on Monday showed that China’s industrial production rose more than anticipated in April, with factory activity holding up well despite pressure from heightened U.S. trade tariffs on exports.
However, domestic demand showed signs of weakness, as retail sales for the month came in below expectations.
The Chinese yuan’s offshore USD/CNH and the onshore USD/CNY pairs were both muted.
“Tariffs will have an outsized impact in areas where there is an easy alternative, but many products that China manufactures don’t have easily available alternatives,” ING analysts said in a note.
“Furthermore, it’s possible that the tariff ceasefire could lead to an increase in activity again in the coming months,” they added.
Analysts saw the overall April data as a bit of a mixed bag, showing an overall moderation of growth as the tariff escalations shook global markets.
Asia FX muted as trade caution persists; yen rises on BOJ hike bets
Even as the dollar dipped, Asian currencies failed to gain momentum as risks around trade talks persisted.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in televised interviews on Sunday that President Donald Trump plans to move forward with the previously threatened tariffs on trade partners who fail to engage in "good faith" negotiations.
The South Korean won’s USD/KRW pair fell 0.1% on Monday after a volatile week.
The Singapore dollar’s USD/SGD pair edged 0.1% lower, while the Indian rupee’s USDINR was unchanged.
The Australian dollar’s AUD/USD pair rose 0.1%.
Meanwhile, the Japanese yen’s USD/JPY pair fell 0.3% after the Bank of Japan Deputy Governor said the central bank will continue to raise interest rates if the economy recovers from the anticipated impact of higher U.S. tariffs.
Last week, data showed that Japan’s economy contracted more than expected in the first quarter of 2025, shrinking at an annualized rate of 0.7%, marking its first decline in a year.
This deceleration is likely to reduce the Bank of Japan’s flexibility in tightening monetary policy.