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Investing.com-- The People’s Bank of China cut its benchmark loan prime rate as expected on Tuesday, as Beijing moves to unlock more monetary stimulus in the face of slowing growth and a U.S. trade war.
The PBOC cut its one-year LPR to 3.0% from 3.10% as expected, while the five-year LPR, which factors into mortgage prices, was cut to 3.50% from 3.60%.
The cut was widely expected by investors, who expect Beijing to further ramp up its stimulus measures to bolster the Chinese economy against increased trade headwinds.
The LPR is set based on recommendations from 18 designated commercial banks, and serves as a benchmark for lending rates in China.
A lower LPR makes lending and borrowing easier in the country, releasing more monetary stimulus into the economy. Easier lending conditions also support China’s massive but slowing property market, which is a major driver of the economy.
China was broadly expected to cut the rate, as a swathe of recent economic readings showed some of the impact of a bitter trade war with the United States.
China had recently also cut a host of reserve ratios for local banks.
While Washington and Beijing did agree to slash their respective trade tariffs temporarily, Chinese businesses and consumers still bore the full brunt of steep trade tariffs for most of April.
Tariff levels between the two countries still remain relatively high, keeping the door open for more trade negotiations.
In addition to monetary stimulus, Beijing is also expected to step up its fiscal measures in the coming months.