China's top lawmakers gather Monday to hash out a major stimulus package that analysts say could grow even bigger if former US president Donald Trump wins the White House this week. Beijing has in recent months heeded calls to step up support for the economy after years of inaction, announcing a raft of measures including rate cuts and the easing of some home buying restrictions. But they have refrained from unveiling a figure for the long-awaited stimulus, disappointing investors after a market rally fizzled when officials repeatedly failed to commit to a top line.
Analysts now hope this number could emerge from this week's meeting of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress, the top body of China's rubber stamp parliament and headed by number three official Zhao Leji. The standing committee reviews and approves all legislation, including allocating funds out of China's budget. "We are expecting more details on the proposals to be passed," said Heron Lim of Moody's Analytics, including "how this extra funding would be allocated to address the near-term economic issues".
Nomura economists expect lawmakers this week to approve around a trillion yuan ($140 billion) in extra budget -- mostly for indebted local governments. Analysts also expect Beijing to approve a one-off one trillion yuan for banks, aimed at writing off non-performing loans over the past four years. "A lot of money will go to cover losses," added Natixis' Alicia Garcia Herrero.
"It's not really a gr.
