Sector Update: Financial Stocks Lower in Afternoon Trading

On October 8, the People’s Bank of China released its policy stance on the RMB exchange rate. The stance clarifies that China implements a managed floating exchange rate system based on market supply and demand, adjusted with reference to a basket of currencies, and insists on allowing the market to play a decisive role in the formation of the exchange rate. The central bank made it clear that it does not preset a target exchange rate level, will not intervene in long-term exchange rate trends, and will maintain exchange rate flexibility with two-way fluctuations. Since 2017, the People’s Bank of China has exited regular foreign exchange intervention. The central bank will focus on preventing significant short-term exchange rate volatility, especially sharp and rapid depreciation, from impacting financial stability. In specific scenarios such as sudden pandemics or major external shocks like the tariff war in April 2025, macroprudential tools will be used for adjustments and expectations management, and in extreme cases, direct foreign exchange intervention may be conducted to prevent destructive short-term overshooting of the exchange rate. These measures comply with international rules and practices. The central bank stated that since the 2005 exchange rate reform, the RMB exchange rate has fluctuated in both directions and has generally remained strong among major international currencies. The People’s Bank of China also explicitly expressed that China neither needs nor intends to gain a trade competitive advantage through exchange rate depreciation. Furthermore, the central bank reaffirmed its commitment to the strategic direction and key initiatives set out in the “15th Five-Year Plan,” to promote a transformation in the mode of economic growth, expand domestic demand and high-level openness, and contribute to a new round of global economic rebalancing. China will also strengthen international economic and financial cooperation, actively participate in and advance global financial governance reforms, and help safeguard global economic and financial stability. (CCTV)

Many traditional views hold that the RMB exchange rate is solely determined by the central bank, appreciating or depreciating at its discretion. This is a major misconception. In its latest statement, the central bank has once again reiterated that China is committed to allowing the market to play a decisive role in exchange rate formation. China implements a market-based exchange rate regime and has completely withdrawn from regular interventions since 2017. In the future, the RMB exchange rate will not be deliberately appreciated or depreciated. China will continue to respect the market, uphold bottom lines, avoid gaming, and refrain from manipulation. This is the most fundamental and certain long-term trend for the RMB exchange rate in the coming years. (CCTV)

According to Jinse Finance, Oracle (ORCL.US) is adopting a novel power supply strategy—transporting natural gas directly by truck to its server parks to ensure that multiple data center projects proceed as planned. Sources reveal that while Oracle awaits the construction and connection of natural gas pipelines to relevant equipment, trucking natural gas has enabled a data center in suburban Salt Lake City to make steady progress for over a year. One source noted that the company is also employing this method at a campus in Shackelford County, Texas, which is being built for OpenAI, to advance the project's initial construction phase.

According to Zhitong Finance APP, Goldman Sachs has upgraded the rating of enterprise software company Palantir (PLTR.US) from "Neutral" to "Buy", citing the company's recent underperformance in stock price and increased valuation appeal.