People's Bank may delay rate rise

Officials at The People's Bank of China are inclined to leave any interest rate change until the end of the year, despite speculation a rise is imminent, the South China Morning Post quoted sources close to the bank as saying. Fears that more forceful measures to cool the economy could lead to a destabilizing crash-landing were behind the second thoughts, the report said. The news follows the release of statistics giving a mixed picture on the economy, with fixed-asset investments and money supply slowing but inflationary pressure remaining strong. Recent reports had suggested the central bank could raise rates around the time of the National Day holidays beginning on October 1.