Industrial production and retail sales in China exceeded expectations.
- China reported better-than-expected retail sales and industrial production for September.
- Beijing is attempting to stimulate consumption and revive its struggling real estate market through a series of recent announcements by authorities.
- On Friday, China also reported slightly better-than-expected gross domestic product data.
China on Friday reported better-than-expected retail sales and industrial production for September.
The National Bureau of Statistics reported that retail sales grew 3.2% from the previous year, exceeding the 2.5% growth forecast by analysts in an LSEG poll. This represents a faster growth rate compared to the 2.1% increase recorded in the previous month.
Industrial production grew by 5.4% in September compared to the previous year, exceeding the predicted 4.5% increase forecasted by analysts.
Fixed asset investment increased by 3.4% between January and September compared to the previous year.
In September, China's urban unemployment rate decreased by 0.2 percentage point to 5.1%.
Gary Ng, senior economist at Natixis, stated that despite some positive indications, it is difficult to conclude that China has fully recovered from its economic challenges. He pointed out that consumer sentiment remains cautious based on year-to-date retail sales data.
Nearly the same growth rate of 3.36% was reported for retail sales from January to August, as compared to the 3.35% increase seen from January to September.
Beijing is attempting to stimulate consumption and revive its struggling real estate market through a series of recent announcements by authorities.
On Friday, China also reported slightly better-than-expected gross domestic product data.
The slowing economic growth in China, the world's second-largest economy, had long been anticipated by investors, who eagerly awaited stimulus measures to help the country recover from Covid-19 lockdowns.
Investors have been assessing the announcements and looking for implementation details, resulting in volatile markets.
The adequacy of interest rate cuts and fiscal policies will determine the economy's rebound and confidence, according to Ng.
— CNBC's Anniek Bao contributed to this report.
China Economy
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