China Raises Lending Rates to Ease Growth

For the third time in less than six months, China has raised its benchmark lending rate in a growing effort to slow the pace of growth in the rapidly-expanding economy. The one-year lending rate will increase to 6.06 percent from 5.81 percent, effective tomorrow, the People’s Bank of China said on its website today. The one-year deposit rate will rise to 3 percent from 2.75 percent.

“Global markets may begin to see the frequent rate hikes as a sign that a growth slowdown in China is inevitable,” said Dariusz Kowalczyk, a Hong-Kong based economist at Credit Agricole CIB. “But in the end, the move will be seen as a sign of strength, with solid growth momentum allowing policy makers to raise rates.”

Source: Bloomberg