中国货币政策系列二十三：货币政策宽松边际收敛，关注短期的风险

1. Report Industry Investment Rating No information provided in the content. 2. Core Views of the Report - Focus on the expected difference in aggregate demand policies in 2026. The policy goal is to achieve "stable economic growth and a reasonable rebound in prices", with price becoming an important consideration for monetary policy. Externally, the suspension of Sino - US tariff conflicts for one year has reduced short - term uncertainties. Internally, the increased emphasis on the "supply - side" may drive the upward repair of negative PPI in 2026. Macro - policies have shifted from "insufficient demand" to "strong supply and weak demand", with the addition of "cross - cycle adjustment". The goal of monetary policy has shifted from "prices at a reasonable level" to "a reasonable rebound", increasing the weight of price factors in the central bank's monetary policy. The policy emphasizes the "integrated effect of incremental and existing policies" to stabilize rather than lower the "comprehensive social financing cost". The deletion of certain statements may imply a marginal weakening of financial regulatory intensity and increased flexibility for financial institutions [2]. - In terms of structural policies, the pre - positioning of aggregate demand may increase policy support for investment in 2026 and expand from the "two important and two new" areas to a wider range. The shift from "small enterprises" to "small and medium - sized enterprises" may expand the scope of structural policy tools. The deletion of "stabilizing foreign trade" indicates a reduction in structural support for foreign trade. The deletion of real - estate - related statements suggests that the real - estate market may enter a stage of further risk release and convergence in 2026, with short - term pressure but medium - term stability [3]. - In terms of exchange - rate policies, as in the third quarter, the weakening US dollar has reduced pressure on the RMB [3]. - The macro - strategy has shifted to short - term defense and annual optimism. The fourth - quarter monetary policy has a greater demand for price rebounds, which may come from the "cross - cycle" on the supply side and the expected difference in investment on the demand side. The positive judgment of the 2026 macro - strategy is maintained, but the short - term is revised to neutral. In the equity market, the proportion of hedging should be appropriately increased, and in the interest - rate market, attention should be paid to short - term trading opportunities after the rapid rise of long - term rates [4]. 3. Summary According to the Table of Contents 3.1 Macro Events On December 18, the central bank's fourth - quarter regular meeting suggested giving play to the integrated effect of incremental and existing policies, comprehensively using various tools, strengthening monetary - policy regulation, and grasping the intensity, rhythm, and timing of policy implementation according to domestic and international economic and financial situations and financial - market operations [1]. 3.2 Comparison and Analysis of the "Monetary Policy Committee Regular Meeting" 3.2.1 First Paragraph: Monetary Policy - Fourth - quarter statement: The macro - regulation has been strengthened this year. Monetary policy has been moderately loose, continuously exerting force and increasing force in a timely manner, strengthening counter - cyclical adjustment, and comprehensively using various monetary - policy tools to serve the high - quality development of the real economy and create a suitable monetary and financial environment for the stable and positive economic development. The reform of the loan - market quotation rate has continuously released its effectiveness, the market - based adjustment mechanism of deposit rates has effectively played its role, the transmission efficiency of monetary policy has been enhanced, and the social financing cost is at a historically low level. The foreign - exchange market supply and demand are basically balanced, foreign - exchange reserves are sufficient, the RMB exchange rate fluctuates bidirectionally, and it remains basically stable at a reasonable and balanced level. The financial market generally operates smoothly [11]. - Third - quarter statement: Similar to the fourth - quarter statement, but the economic description was "rebounding and improving", and the statement "the current - account surplus is stable" was included [12]. - Huatai analysis: In November, when the economic data was lower than expected, the economic description was adjusted from "rebounding and improving" to "stable and positive". After the trade surplus exceeded 1 trillion US dollars from January to November, the statement "the current - account surplus is stable" was deleted [13]. 3.2.2 Second Paragraph: Situation Analysis - Fourth - quarter statement: The current external environment has a greater impact. The world economic growth momentum is insufficient, trade barriers have increased, the economic performance of major economies has diverged, and there are uncertainties in inflation trends and monetary - policy adjustments. China's economy is generally stable and making progress, and high - quality development has achieved new results, but it still faces problems such as prominent contradictions between strong supply and weak demand. It is necessary to continue to implement a moderately loose monetary policy, increase the intensity of counter - cyclical and cross - cycle adjustment, better play the dual functions of the total amount and structure of monetary - policy tools, strengthen the coordination and cooperation of monetary and fiscal policies, and promote stable economic growth and a reasonable rebound in prices [27]. - Third - quarter statement: The current external environment is more complex and severe. The world economic growth momentum has weakened, trade barriers have increased, the economic performance of major economies has diverged, and there are uncertainties in inflation trends and monetary - policy adjustments. China's economy is making progress while maintaining stability, social confidence is continuously boosted, and high - quality development has achieved new results, but it still faces difficulties such as insufficient domestic demand and low - level price operation. It is necessary to implement a moderately loose monetary policy in detail, strengthen counter - cyclical adjustment, better play the dual functions of the total amount and structure of monetary - policy tools, increase the coordination and cooperation of monetary and fiscal policies, and promote stable economic growth and prices at a reasonable level [28]. - Huatai analysis: In the fourth quarter, the description of the external and internal economic situations was adjusted. Externally, the uncertainty has decreased marginally. Internally, the description of the "supply - side" has increased, which may drive the upward repair of negative PPI in 2026. The monetary - policy goal has shifted from "prices at a reasonable level" to "a reasonable rebound", increasing the weight of price factors [29]. 3.2.3 Third Paragraph: Policy Requirements - Fourth - quarter statement: It is recommended to give play to the integrated effect of incremental and existing policies, comprehensively use various tools, strengthen monetary - policy regulation, and grasp the intensity, rhythm, and timing of policy implementation according to domestic and international economic and financial situations and financial - market operations. Keep liquidity abundant, make the growth of social financing scale and money supply match the expected goals of economic growth and general price level, and promote the low - level operation of the comprehensive social financing cost. Strengthen the guidance of the central bank's policy interest rate, improve the market - based interest - rate formation and transmission mechanism, play the role of the market - interest - rate pricing self - regulatory mechanism, and strengthen the implementation and supervision of interest - rate policies. Observe and evaluate the bond - market operation from a macro - prudential perspective and pay attention to changes in long - term yields. Smooth the monetary - policy transmission mechanism and improve the efficiency of fund use. Enhance the resilience of the foreign - exchange market, stabilize market expectations, prevent exchange - rate overshooting risks, and keep the RMB exchange rate basically stable at a reasonable and balanced level [43]. - Third - quarter statement: It is recommended to strengthen monetary - policy regulation, improve forward - looking, targeted, and effective policies, grasp the intensity and rhythm of policy implementation according to domestic and international economic and financial situations and financial - market operations, implement various monetary - policy measures, and fully release policy effects. Keep liquidity abundant, guide financial institutions to increase monetary and credit investment, make the growth of social financing scale and money supply match the expected goals of economic growth and general price level. Strengthen the guidance of the central bank's policy interest rate, improve the market - based interest - rate formation and transmission mechanism, play the role of the market - interest - rate pricing self - regulatory mechanism, and strengthen the implementation and supervision of interest - rate policies. Promote the decline of the comprehensive social financing cost. Observe and evaluate the bond - market operation from a macro - prudential perspective and pay attention to changes in long - term yields. Smooth the monetary - policy transmission mechanism, improve the efficiency of fund use, and prevent fund idling. Enhance the resilience of the foreign - exchange market, stabilize market expectations, prevent exchange - rate overshooting risks, and keep the RMB exchange rate basically stable at a reasonable and balanced level [44]. - Huatai analysis: The central bank's monetary policy has entered a "discretionary" stage. The "integrated effect of incremental and existing policies" is proposed, which is more specific. The "forward - looking, targeted, and effective" statements are deleted, and the "timing" of policy implementation is added. The "comprehensive social financing cost" is pre - positioned and changed from "decline" to "low - level operation", indicating limited space for price - based monetary policies such as interest - rate cuts. The deletion of certain statements implies a marginal weakening of the demand for total financial variables and financial regulatory intensity [45][46][47]. 3.2.4 Fourth Paragraph: Policy Reform - Fourth - quarter statement: Guide large - scale banks to play the main role in financial services for the real economy, promote small and medium - sized banks to focus on their main responsibilities and businesses, enhance the capital strength of banks, and jointly maintain the stable development of the financial market. Effectively implement various structural monetary - policy tools, do a solid job in the "five major articles" of finance, and strengthen financial support for key areas such as expanding domestic demand, scientific and technological innovation, and small and medium - sized enterprises. Use the swap facilities of securities, funds, and insurance companies and the re - loan for stock repurchase and increase, explore a normalized institutional arrangement, and maintain the stability of the capital market. Continuously do a good job in financial services to support the development and growth of the private economy. Promote high - level two - way opening of finance and improve the ability to manage the economy and finance and prevent risks under open conditions [56]. - Third - quarter statement: Similar to the fourth - quarter statement, but with more content, including supporting "two important and two new" areas, stabilizing foreign trade, and promoting the real - estate market [57]. - Huatai analysis: In the fourth quarter, many statements were deleted. The support order for key areas was adjusted, with aggregate demand pre - positioned, the scope of support for small enterprises expanded to small and medium - sized enterprises, and the support for foreign trade reduced. The deletion of real - estate - related statements may indicate that the real - estate market will enter a stage of further risk release and convergence in 2026 [58][59]. 3.2.5 Fifth Paragraph: Policy Guidance - Fourth - quarter statement: Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Central Economic Work Conference. In accordance with the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, firmly grasp the primary task of high - quality development, solidly promote Chinese - style modernization, fully and accurately implement the new development concept, and accelerate the construction of a new development pattern. Place greater emphasis on strengthening the domestic large - cycle, coordinate the relationship between total supply and total demand, enhance the forward - looking, targeted, and coordinated nature of macro - policies, focus on expanding domestic demand and optimizing supply, improve the increment and revitalize the stock, and continuously consolidate and expand the momentum of stable and positive economic development [63]. - Third - quarter statement: Similar to the fourth - quarter statement, but the macro - policy was described as "coordination and cooperation, maintaining policy continuity and stability, and enhancing flexibility and predictability" [64]. - Huatai analysis: The macro - policy has shifted from "coordination and cooperation, maintaining policy continuity and stability, and enhancing flexibility and predictability" to "forward - looking, targeted, and coordinated". The addition of "optimizing supply" indicates that there is still room for improvement in the macro - supply side in 2026, and the overall policy tone is "stable" [65].