Group 1 - The interbank foreign exchange market showed stable trading volume, with the average daily trading volume increasing by 6.72% month-on-month to $205.18 billion, despite a slight year-on-year decline of 0.3% [2] - The average daily trading volume in the RMB foreign exchange market was $152.54 billion, down 5.72% year-on-year but up 6.3% month-on-month, with both spot and swap transactions increasing by over 7% [2] Group 2 - The US dollar index continued to strengthen, reaching around 99.5 before declining to above 98, with a month-end value of 99.804, reflecting a 2.08% appreciation from the previous month [3] - The RMB exchange rate rose to a yearly high of 7.0995 against the US dollar before fluctuating, ending the month at 7.1135, a slight appreciation of 0.07% [4] Group 3 - The domestic foreign exchange spread shifted from negative to positive by the end of the month, with an average daily spread of -29 basis points, which was wider by 25 basis points compared to the previous month [5] - The market saw a shift from net buying to net selling of foreign exchange by institutions, with an average daily net buying of $11.80 million throughout the month [5] Group 4 - The implied volatility of RMB foreign exchange options remained low, with an average daily trading volume of $5.23 billion, down 9.07% month-on-month [6] - The 1-month implied volatility for RMB against the US dollar reached a low of 2.19%, the lowest since June 2017 [6] Group 5 - The long-term swap points reached a new high not seen in nearly three years, with the 1-year swap points ending at -1287 basis points, an increase of 35 basis points from the previous month [7] - The market's buying pressure remained strong, with the 1-year swap points reflecting significant market supply and demand factors [8] Group 6 - The dollar liquidity in the foreign currency interest rate market remained loose, with the overnight dollar interest rate spread maintaining a negative direction, reaching a yearly high of -40 basis points by the end of the month [10] - The SOFR rate fluctuated, ending the month at 4.22% after a drop following the Fed's rate cut [9]

Core Insights - The interbank foreign exchange market in August experienced stable trading, with a slight year-on-year decline in average daily trading volume [1] - The offshore yuan exchange rate showed a significant appreciation towards the end of August, reflecting stronger market expectations [2] - The implied volatility in the options market indicated a rising short-term appreciation expectation for the yuan [4] Group 1: Trading Volume and Market Activity - In August, the average daily trading volume in the interbank foreign exchange market was $191.86 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 1.29% and a month-on-month decrease of 7.06% [1] - The average daily trading volume for the yuan was $136.03 billion, down 9.32% year-on-year and 7.65% month-on-month [1] - The foreign currency market and foreign currency interest rate market remained active, with a year-on-year growth rate exceeding 20% [1] Group 2: Exchange Rate Movements - The onshore yuan exchange rate fluctuated between 7.1650 and 7.1950 in early August, strengthening to a midpoint of 7.1030 by the end of the month, representing a 0.83% appreciation [1] - The average daily deviation of the market transaction price from the midpoint was 441 basis points, widening by 236 basis points compared to the previous month [1] - The offshore yuan (CNH) appreciated by 1.02% by the end of August, closing at 7.1276 [2] Group 3: Market Sentiment and Behavior - The average daily net selling of foreign exchange in August was $1.78 million, with a shift from net buying in the first half of the month to net selling in the second half [2] - The market's herd effect index was recorded at 63.52, slightly down from July but above the historical average of 62.65 [2][3] Group 4: Options Market and Interest Rate Differentials - The average daily trading volume in the yuan foreign exchange options market was $5.83 billion, a month-on-month decrease of 22.51% [4] - The implied volatility for at-the-money options rebounded, indicating a notable increase in market sentiment regarding short-term yuan appreciation [4] - The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield decreased to 4.23% by the end of August, contributing to a narrowing of the interest rate differential between China and the U.S. [4]