China’s latest PMI shows factory boom

Growth in the service sector picks up pace

BEIJING: China’s vast manufacturing sector grew at the fastest pace in eight months in May, blowing past expectations and easing concerns about an economic slowdown even as risks from trade tensions with the United States and a crackdown on debt point to a bumpy ride ahead.

The official Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) released yesterday rose to 51.9 in May, from 51.4 in April, and remained well above the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction for the 22nd straight month.

Analysts surveyed by Reuters had forecast the reading would dip slightly to 51.3.

Production expanded at the fastest rate in six months in May while growth in new orders rose to an eight-month high, helped by rising commodities prices.

The strong manufacturing sector readings defy concerns about an expected loss of momentum in the world’s second-biggest economy, as policymakers navigate debt risks and rocky trade relations with the United States.

In particular, export orders improved from the previous month. Some economists suspect that Chinese firms have been front-loading shipments due to the Sino-US trade frictions.

On the whole, however, economists were sceptical of the sustainability of industrial sector strength, suggesting the broader economy will face pressure over coming months.

“We doubt this strength will be sustained for long given that it appears to mostly reflect a temporary boost to industrial output from the easing of pollution controls rather than a turnaround in underlying demand,” said Julian Evans-Pritchard, Senior China Economist at Capital Economics, in a note after the data release.

Nomura analysts were also of the view the strong PMI readings will be short-lived, saying “the growth of end-demand, such as infrastructure and property investment, has slumped in recent months, due at least in part to the government’s deleveraging efforts.”

Beijing has been tightening controls on riskier investments, the shadow banking business and speculation in the property sector, but has been keen to keep the broad economy well funded.

The industrial sector, a key source of jobs, remained in healthy shape, with profits growing at their fastest pace in six months, underpinned by continued strength in the steel sector.

But the latest survey showed that more manufacturers were concerned about tightening in funding over recent months, with 40.1% of all firms polled raising the issue in May, according to Zhao Qinghe, an official with the statistics bureau. “Big cost pressure is still one of the major problems facing Chinese manufacturers these days.”

Activity of small firms contracted in May after expanding the previous month while both big and medium-sized companies all posted positive growth.

High-tech manufacturing activity rose to 54.8 in May, up from April’s 53.8, despite pending US tariff list under its intellectual property probe and restrictions on Chinese investments in the US.

China’s economy grew at a slightly faster-than-expected pace of 6.8% in the first quarter. However, signs of stress were evident with investment growth slowing to a near 20-year low in April and growth in retail sales sliding.

Boosted by government infrastructure spending, a resilient housing market and unexpected strength in exports, China’s manufacturers helped the economy deliver strong growth last year.

Economists still expect China’s economic growth to slow to 6.5% this year from 6.9% in 2017, citing rising borrowing costs, tougher limits on industrial pollution and a crackdown on local governments’ spending to keep their debt levels in check.

Most China watchers had tipped growth to soften slightly in the second quarter. Yet, ANZ economists now see steady growth in the June quarter, citing support from increases in production and new orders in the PMI survey.

A sister survey showed growth in China’s service sector also picked up pace in May, with the official non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edging up to 54.9 from 54.8 the previous month.

A sub-reading for construction activity, a major driver of growth in 2017, stood at 60.1 in May, down from 60.6 in April.

Chinese policymakers are counting on growth in services and consumption to rebalance their economic growth model from its heavy reliance on investment and exports.

The services sector now accounts for over half of the economy, with rising wages giving Chinese consumers more spending clout.

A composite PMI covering both the manufacturing and services activity rose to 54.6 in May, from April’s 54.1.