Investing.com-- Most Asian currencies weakened on Monday with the Chinese yuan lagging its peers following persistent signs of deflation in the country, while the dollar steadied amid persistent uncertainty over U.S. trade tariffs and slowing growth.
The Japanese yen was an outlier, remaining close to its strongest level in five months amid persistent safe haven demand. Mildly softer-than-expected wage data also did little to deter bets on more interest rate hikes from the Bank of Japan.
But barring the yen, most Asian currencies were nursing steep losses in recent weeks as risk appetite was decimated by uncertainty over the U.S. economy and policies.
The dollar index and dollar index futures steadied in Asian trade after also clocking steep losses in recent weeks, as concerns over a U.S. economic slowdown also weighed. President Donald Trump on Sunday declined to rule out the possibility of a U.S. recession when speaking to Fox News.
Chinese yuan weakens on soft inflation
The Chinese yuan was among the worst performers in Asia on Monday, with the USD/CNY pair rising 0.3%.
Chinese consumer and producer inflation data both shrank in February and read weaker than expected, indicating that disinflation in the country still remained in play.
The reading came despite a string of measures from Beijing to shore up weak consumer spending, including subsidies on several discretionary goods.
The inflation data also underscored the need for more stimulus measures from Beijing to support growth. Government officials had last week vowed more fiscal measures this year to support the economy, although they provided few details on the planned measures.
China is also set for more economic headwinds from a growing trade war with the U.S., after U.S. President Donald Trump last week imposed 20% trade tariffs against the country.
Japanese yen near 5-mth high despite soft wage data
The Japanese yen was an outlier among its peers, with the USD/JPY pair falling 0.3% and remaining close to its lowest point since early-October.
The yen strengthened chiefly on safe haven demand amid increased economic uncertainty. The currency also benefited from persistent bets on more interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan, even as wage data for January read slightly weaker than expected on Monday.
But the reading still showed persistent growth in Japanese wages- a scenario that gives the BOJ more headroom to raise interest rates. While the central bank is widely expected to keep rates steady next week, traders are betting that a hike could come as soon as May, amid rising inflation and expectations of bumper wage hikes from springtime wage negotiations in the country.
Broader Asian currencies weakened, as U.S. economic uncertainty made for little risk appetite. The Australian dollar’s AUD/USD pair was flat, while the Singapore dollar’s USD/SGD pair rose 0.1%.
The South Korean won’s USD/KRW pair rose 0.4%, with the won also coming under pressure from fears of renewed political strife in the country. The country’s top court is set to rule on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law in December.
The Indian rupee’s USD/INR pair rose 0.2% and was above the 87 rupee level.