If China hoped to quell rumors of an incipient interest-rate increase or other tightening moves, its recent shift in the data calendar didn't help.
China's statistics bureau said Wednesday it will release November economic data on Saturday, earlier than the originally scheduled Monday. That suggests to market watchers that China might unveil some sort of economic tightening move, because a Saturday release could indicate an effort soften the data's market impact.
Of course, the move may also mean nothing. China also released August economic data on a Saturday in September, sparking speculation of rate increases, but no rate hike came until October. Also, the last rate increase came on a weekday. The bureau on Wednesday cited consistency in release dates as the reason for the move.
China markets have been jittery for the past week, as investors look for more signs that China will make moves to rein in its surging economy. The dollar fell against the yen Tuesday in Asia as investors after a media report that China may raise interest rates soon, but that movement proved fleeting and the dollar rallied back.
The Shanghai Composite index was down 0.1% Wednesday morning.
