China left benchmark lending loan prime rates, or LPRs, for March unchanged on Friday, keeping them steady for the 10th straight month, in line with market expectations.
The steady loan prime rate (LPR) fixings suggested that surging global oil prices amid escalating Middle East tension may cloud the outlook for inflation.
This year’s slightly lowered growth target could also reduce urgency for fresh stimulus measures, prompting some market analysts to postpone forecasts on the timing of interest rate cuts.
The one-year loan prime rate (LPR) was kept at 3.0%, while the five-year LPR was unchanged at 3.5%.
All 20 market participants in a Reuters survey this week predicted no change to either of the rates.
