Anna 
Bank of America (BofA) has released its projections for the USD/CNY exchange rate, anticipating a notable increase in the near future. The bank forecasts a climb to 7.35 by the second quarter of 2024, with a peak expected at 7.45 by the third quarter of the same year. This outlook is primarily driven by persistent rate differentials and perceived imbalances in policy measures.
In tandem with its assessment of the Chinese yuan, BofA has adjusted its stance on several other Asian currencies. The bank has adopted a bearish view on the Korean won (KRW) and shifted to a neutral position on the Indian rupee (INR), citing the prevailing strength of the US dollar as a determining factor.
Furthermore, BofA’s bearish sentiment extends to the Taiwanese dollar (TWD), Thai baht (THB), and Vietnamese dong (VND), with portfolio outflows contributing to this assessment.
While maintaining a neutral stance on various other Asian currencies, including the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), Indonesian rupiah (IDR), Malaysian ringgit (MYR), and Philippine peso (PHP), BofA has also retained a neutral outlook on the Singapore dollar (SGD). Notably, the financial institution has refrained from expressing bullish sentiment towards any Asian currency at present.
BofA’s analysis underscores a cautious approach towards Asian currencies amidst the backdrop of a strengthening US dollar, which has implications for exchange rates and regional economic dynamics. The forecasted surge in the USD/CNY exchange rate suggests that investors and businesses with exposure to these currencies should remain vigilant of potential fluctuations in the months ahead.
