瑞银投资银行高级中国经济学家张宁：2026年货币政策仍存宽松空间，降息或落在二季度及下半年

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article is that there is potential for further monetary policy easing in China, with a probability of interest rate cuts in 2026, particularly in the second quarter and second half of the year, with an expected total reduction of 20 basis points, approximately 10 basis points per cut [1][3][4] - Zhang Ning, a senior economist at UBS Investment Bank, indicated that the current economic environment faces multiple pressures, including the need to solidify the foundation for price recovery and the necessity to restore confidence among residents and businesses [1][3] - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) is expected to maintain a neutral policy stance in the short term, with potential triggers for interest rate cuts including ongoing pressures in the real estate sector and uncertainties in external demand [1][3][4] Group 2 - Current inflation levels are gradually rising, which somewhat reduces the urgency for policy easing; however, China's real interest rates remain relatively high globally, indicating that there is still room for rate cuts due to pressures from real estate adjustments and corporate financing costs [2][4] - The first quarter of the year is characterized as having many uncertainties, leading to a relatively limited urgency for implementing interest rate cuts, with a tendency for the policy to remain cautious ahead of the National People's Congress in March [2][4] - Market expectations regarding the timing of interest rate cuts vary, but if cuts are implemented, they are likely to be concentrated in the second quarter and second half of the year, with an anticipated total reduction of 20 basis points [2][4]