Fund managers offer mixed forecasts for Asia rate rises

Analysts and strategists at financial institutions largely agree that China's rapid GDP growth will continue this year despite likely continued monetary tightening by the government, following the 25-basis-point hike of its one-year lending and deposit rates on December 25. Still, Dutch asset management firm Robeco is not convinced that Chinese interest rates will rise further. The company expects GDP growth in China of around 9% for the coming year and says the Chinese government has…