PBOC raises liquidity backing to banks

China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), has taken significant steps to bolster the nation’s economic recovery and debt sales by injecting a substantial sum of money into the financial system. In its latest move, the PBOC injected a net total of 289 billion yuan, equivalent to approximately $39.6 billion, via one-year policy loans. This marks the largest monthly cash injection since December 2020. Concurrently, the central bank also removed a net amount of 134 billion yuan from short-term liquidity through open-market operations, indicating a careful balance in managing liquidity within the financial system.

The backdrop for this substantial cash infusion is China’s economic landscape, which has faced notable challenges stemming from a lack of demand and a downturn in the property market over the course of this year. The PBOC’s cash injection is a strategic move to provide the much-needed impetus for China’s economic growth.

Moreover, the injection of liquidity serves the crucial purpose of ensuring that commercial banks have ample funding at their disposal. This liquidity boost comes as Beijing and local governments are gearing up to issue more bonds in order to finance various stimulus measures, as well as with the tax payment season approaching on the horizon. This financial stability is pivotal in enabling these financial institutions to meet the needs of the government’s fiscal initiatives.

In terms of interest rates, the PBOC has opted to maintain the status quo, keeping the MLF interest rate steady at 2.5%. This decision aligns with market expectations and underscores the central bank’s commitment to policy stability. Simultaneously, yields from two-year to ten-year sovereign bonds experienced slight increases of one to four basis points on Monday, reflecting the ongoing dynamics in the bond market.

The injection of this substantial liquidity comes at a time when the Chinese government is contemplating a new round of stimulus to achieve its official annual growth target of around 5%. This includes heightened government bond issuance and a potential expansion of sovereign bond sales to fund infrastructure development, according to reports.

In the context of economic data, recent figures revealed a surprising stagnation in consumer inflation, though certain indicators such as exports have hinted at a moderation in the economic slowdown. Chinese authorities have implemented incremental measures to bolster the economy without resorting to massive stimulus packages, signalling a cautious and calibrated approach to economic support.

In his statement, Pan Gongsheng, the chief of the central bank, emphasised the intention to employ a combination of both aggregate and structural tools in monetary policy. This approach encompasses addressing broad economic conditions as well as offering targeted support to specific industries, all while striving for sustainable growth within a “reasonable” expansion pace.

Despite concerns surrounding the fragility of the economic recovery, some financial institutions, including Citigroup Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co., have revised their growth projections upward, citing improvements in indicators like manufacturing activity.

In sum, the PBOC’s significant cash injection forms part of a broader strategy to bolster China’s economic revival and to manage liquidity within the financial system. These measures are implemented as the government considers further stimulus actions to meet its growth objectives, particularly as the demand for government bonds remains robust. The directive for local governments to utilise funds raised by bonds before the end of October is another factor that will influence liquidity dynamics in the coming weeks.