China keeps loan prime rate unchanged in Dec with fiscal stimulus in focus

Investing.com– The People’s Bank of China left its benchmark loan prime rate unchanged on Friday, as expected, with Beijing now set to roll out more fiscal spending in the coming year to boost growth. 

The PBOC left its one-year LPR at 3.10%, while the five-year LPR was left at 3.6% in the bank’s final rate decision for the year. The central bank had cut the one-year rate twice this year, while the five-year rate, which is used to determine mortgage rates, was cut thrice, pulling both rates further into record-low territory. 

The LPR is determined by the PBOC based on considerations from 18 designated commercial banks, and is used as a benchmark for lending rates in the country.

Analysts widely expected the LPR to remain unchanged, with PBOC seen having limited room to cut rates further due to a weakening yuan. The currency slid to its weakest level in 15 months earlier this week. 

A slew of monetary stimulus measures from China yielded limited results in supporting economic growth.

The country is now expected to ramp up fiscal spending in the coming year to boost growth, and will also potentially roll out target fiscal measures to support private spending and the property market. 

But Beijing has so far provided limited details on how it will dole out more stimulus in the coming year. Policymakers were seen seeking more clarity on what a Donald Trump presidency in the U.S. will entail for China, given that the President-elect has vowed to impose steep trade tariffs on the country.