China benchmark lending rates seen lower even as other c.banks tighten

SHANGHAI: China's benchmark lending rates will likely be set lower next Monday, after standing still for 20 months, according to a Reuters flash poll, highlighting Beijing's monetary policy divergence with other major global economies.

Twenty-nine out of the 40 traders and economists polled by Reuters on Friday predicted cuts in China's loan prime rate (LPR), citing the need to aid a slowing economy, and easier monetary conditions.