China: Credit conditions improve in April
Chinese banks distributed CNY 1.18 trillion (USD 185 billion) in new yuan loans in April, up from March’s CNY 1.12 trillion and broadly in line with market expectations of CNY 1.10 trillion. In the 12 months up to April, new yuan loans totaled CNY 14.2 trillion (12 months up to March: CNY 14.2 trillion).
Total social financing (TSF)—a broader measure of credit and liquidity in the economy that includes loans, bonds and other non-traditional instruments—grew from CNY 1.33 trillion in March to CNY 1.56 trillion in April.
Meanwhile, annual growth in M2—the broadest measure of money supply in China—inched up from March’s all-time low of 8.2% to 8.3% in April. The reading came in below the 8.5% that market analysts had expected.
The People’s Bank of China is moderating its campaign to reduce risks in the financial sector and, instead, is gradually supporting credit growth in order to shore up economic activity amid ongoing trade disputes between China and the United States.