The offshore yuan steadied around 6.72 per dollar on Thursday after retreating in the previous session, as fresh industrial profit data strengthened expectations that Beijing could unveil additional policy support to bolster growth. China’s industrial profits rose 17.6% year-on-year to CNY 4.58 trillion in the first seven months of 2026, easing from an 18.7% increase in the January–June period. The slowdown points to growing pressure on corporate profitability amid subdued domestic demand and fading support from earlier oil price gains, adding to concerns over the broader economic outlook after July figures showed industrial output, retail sales, and fixed-asset investment all missed expectations. Against this backdrop, investors are closely watching the National People’s Congress Standing Committee meeting, which concludes on August 28, for potential policy support aimed at supporting growth.