February economic data released from China are overwhelmingly poor, but unsurprising. Retail sales dropped -20.5% yoy versus expectation of -4.0% yoy. Industrial production dropped -13.5% yoy versus expectation of -3.0% yoy. Fixed asset investment dropped -24.5% ytd yoy versus expectation of -2.0% ytd yoy.
The National Bureau of Statistics sounded optimistic in its statement. It said, while the epidemic has incurred relatively big shocks to economic activities, the impacts are largely “short-term, external and controllable.” “The economy has withstood the shocks of the epidemic,” it added.
