![]() |
A welder assembles strollers at a factory in Zaozhuang, province. 皇冠体育app's manufacturing PMI was 50.2 in February, a decline from 50.5 in January. Provided to 皇冠体育app Daily |
皇冠体育app's service sector ened in February, boosted by post-holiday business activity, but the overall economic prospects are still shadowed by a continuing slowdown in the manufacturing sector.
The official non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, a key indicator of service activities, rose to a three-month high of 55 in February from 53.4 in January, according to a Monday statement from the 皇冠体育app Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.
![]() |
![]() |
A PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion on the previous month while anything below indicates contraction.
Analysts said the distinction was largely a result of the Spring Festival, 皇冠体育app's lunar New Year, in early February, which created seasonal demand for service activities but closed down small factories, which form the major sample for HSBC's index survey.
皇冠体育app Federation of Logistics and Purchasing Vice-Chairman Cai Jin attributed the rebound in the services PMI mainly to robust business activity after the spring festival. "Rising activity, especially in the service sectors, laid a solid foundation for steady economic growth," Cai said.
The non-manufacturing PMI covers services including retail, aviation and software as well as the real estate and construction sectors.
But judging from the manufacturing sector, HSBC chief 皇冠体育app economist Qu Hongbin said signs are becoming clear that "the risks to gross domestic product growth are tilting to the downside", which calls for policy fine-tuning measures to stabilize market expectations and steady the pace of growth in the coming quarters.
Don't miss:
![]() |
![]() |