Its PBoC rate setting day, analysts unanimously expect an on hold decision

Last month the People's Bank of China were in a rate cutting mood:

cut repo rates on July 22:

• PBoC announces cut to 7-day reverse repo rate to 1.70% from 1.80%
• at the same time the Bank lowered collateral requirements for medium term lending facility loans

On the same day they cut LPRs:

• China cuts 1 and 5 year loan prime rates by 10 basis points each

Then they followed up three days later with a surprise, shock, cut to their Medium-term Lending Facility (MLF) rate:

• People's Bank of China reduces 1 year Medium-term Lending Facility (MLF) rate to 2.3%

Today its Loan Prime Rate (LPR) setting day again.

Reuters survey of 37 analysts shows all expect both one- and five-year LPRs to be left on hold, currently

• 3.35%
• and 3.85%

respectively.

Analysts cite shrinking interest margins at lenders as a key constraint discouraging commercial banks from further lowering the lending benchmark rates. The People's Bank of China is also wary that even lower interest rates may weaken the yuan further and spur capital outflows.