PBOC slashes key lending rate

The PBOC cuts its benchmark lending rate to provide more support for the economy. The Shenzhen Composite moves higher as a result. In the U.S., Wall Street posts its longest streak of weekly gains so far this year on the back of lower rates and earnings optimism. Fitch confirms Italy’s credit rating and boosts its outlook to ‘positive’ in a sign the euro zone’s third largest economy is on the right track. And overnight in Lebanon, Israel targets Hezbollah-linked banks.