Released over the weekend, China’s official PMI Manufacturing declined from 51.9 in March to 49.2 in April, falling short of expectation of 51.4. This drop also brought the reading below the 50-mark, signaling the first contraction in manufacturing activity this year.
A significant contributor to the decline in the headline indicator was the new orders sub-index, which dipped to 48.8 from 53.6, suggesting a decrease in market demand. Additionally, new export orders decreased to 47.6 from 50.4, reaching a three-month low.
Senior NBS statistician Zhao Qinghe attributed the contraction in April to a lack of market demand and the high-base effect resulting from the rapid manufacturing recovery in the first quarter. The chemical fiber, ferrous metal mining, and processing sectors have experienced slowed production due to weak market demand, while the special equipment and electrical and mechanical equipment sectors continue to expand, according to a separate NBS statement.
PMI Services index also fell, dropping from 58.2 to 56.4, below the expected 57.0, but it remains the second-highest reading this year. The composite PMI, encompassing both manufacturing and non-manufacturing activity, declined to 54.4 from 57.0.
