管涛：汇率延续窄幅波动，跨境资金流动生变——7月外汇市场分析报告

Core Viewpoint - In July, the uncertainty of U.S. tariff policies continued to increase global trade uncertainty, but market reactions weakened, leading to a rebound in the U.S. dollar index and a slight depreciation of the onshore RMB exchange rate, while the average exchange rate continued to strengthen. However, market participants did not accumulate expectations for a rebound [1][2]. Exchange Rate and Currency Trends - The U.S. dollar index rose by 3.4% in July, ending a five-month decline, reaching a high of 100.0, the highest since late May [2]. - The onshore RMB exchange rate fell by 0.4% to around 7.19, while the average exchange rate increased by 0.1% to 7.1727, marking the third consecutive month of appreciation [3]. - The CFETS RMB exchange rate index and the BIS currency basket reference index both ended a six-month decline, rising by 1.5% and 1.8% respectively [3]. Cross-Border Capital Flows - In July, there was a small net outflow of cross-border funds, with foreign investment in stock assets increasing, while foreign investors significantly reduced their holdings of RMB-denominated bonds, leading to a historical high in the scale of cross-border RMB and securities investment expenditures [7][8]. - The foreign investment in domestic stock markets increased from a net inflow of $1.2 billion in June to $2.7 billion in July [8]. Foreign Investment Behavior - Foreign investors reduced their holdings of RMB-denominated bonds for the third consecutive month, with the reduction scale reaching a historical high of 303.9 billion yuan [9]. - The average one-year USD/RMB forward discount narrowed significantly, leading to a decrease in the attractiveness of RMB bonds for foreign investors [9]. Banking and Forex Market Dynamics - In July, the banking sector recorded a surplus in foreign exchange settlement and sales for the fifth consecutive month, with a surplus of $45.6 billion, the highest in five months [13]. - The willingness of market participants to accumulate foreign exchange decreased, as indicated by a decline in the balance of foreign currency deposits in financial institutions [15]. Trade and Payment Trends - The surplus in goods trade increased by $22.6 billion to $89.4 billion, the second highest on record, due to a significant increase in foreign income [10]. - The service trade recorded a deficit increase of $2.8 billion, reflecting increased outbound demand during the summer [11].