The offshore yuan weakened to around 6.79 per dollar in June, reversing two consecutive months of gains as a stronger US dollar and a series of softer-than-expected daily fixings from the People’s Bank of China weighed on the currency. The dollar strengthened as investors priced in higher-for-longer US interest rates, while ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East boosted demand for the currency’s safe-haven appeal. Additional pressure came from the PBoC’s persistent setting of weaker-than-anticipated reference rates, reinforcing expectations that authorities are comfortable with a gradual depreciation of the yuan. On the economic front, manufacturing PMI edged up to 50.3 from 50.0, exceeding market expectations of 50.1, supported by resilient demand for high-tech exports that helped offset trade disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the non-manufacturing PMI edged up to 50.2 from 50.1, beating forecasts of 49.9 and signaling continued stabilization in the sector.
