China's manufacturing activity contracted at its slowest pace in five months in July, indicating that Beijing's easing measures were beginning to take effect, an independent survey showed Tuesday. Preliminary figures from HSBC's closely watched purchasing managers' index (PMI), which gauges nationwide manufacturing activity, hit a five-month high of 49.5 in July, the British banking giant said in a statement. A PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 points to contraction. HSBC said the reading, which was higher than the 48.2 that HSBC recorded in June, indicated that government measures to boost economic growth were working. "That said, the below-50 July reading implied demand still remaining weak and employment under increasing pressure," Qu Hongbin, a Hong Kong-based economist with HSBC, said in the statement. "This calls for more easing efforts to support growth and jobs." China's gross domestic product fell to a more than three year low of 7.6 percent in the second quarter, prompting the central bank to take the rare step of slashing interest rates for the second time since early June. It has also cut the amount of money banks must keep in reserve, aimed at stimulating lending, three times since December. Chinese leaders have vowed to take further measures, and Premier Wen Jiabao has called stabilising economic growth the government's top priority. Qu said falling inflation gave Beijing leeway to introduce more policies to bolster growth, with "meaningful improvement" of the world's second-largest economy expected in the coming months. China's consumer price index, the main measure of inflation, slowed to 2.2 percent in June, its lowest level in 29 months, according to official data. HSBC will issue the final reading of July PMI on August 1.
GMT 12:09 2018 Monday ,26 November
Black Friday less wild as more Americans turn to online dealsGMT 15:07 2018 Sunday ,18 November
Refugee host countries discuss UNRWA's financial crisisGMT 17:22 2018 Wednesday ,31 October
Russia climbed to 31st place in Doing Business-2019 ratingGMT 16:53 2018 Wednesday ,17 October
"Putin" We need for collective restoration of Syria's economyGMT 14:02 2018 Friday ,12 October
Govt to announce incentives package for Overseas PakistanisGMT 18:26 2018 Saturday ,06 October
Dubai attracts Dh17.7 billion in foreign direct investmentGMT 09:02 2018 Friday ,21 September
Economy of Georgia demonstrates "strong signs of recovery"GMT 09:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January
German investor confidence surges in JanuaryMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor