PBOC

The People's Bank of China set its daily USD/CNY central parity rate at a firmer level, a move analysts read as the central bank tightening its management of the yuan and signalling it is uncomfortable with recent currency weakness. Markets watch the daily fix closely for clues on Beijing's stance, and a stronger setting can lift the renminbi, affect regional currencies, and shift sentiment across Asian equities and commodity trades.

China's central bank is expected to fix the USD/CNY daily reference rate at 6.7085, according to a Reuters estimate. The PBOC sets the yuan's midpoint each trading day, and traders watch the fix closely for signals on official policy toward the currency and the wider economy. The expected level is being picked up by forex market observers ahead of the announcement.