China February HSBC PMI inches up

Activity in China’s mammoth factory sector edged up to a fourmonth high in February, but export orders shrank at their fastest rate in 20 months, a private survey showed, painting a murky outlook that argues for more policy support.

The flash HSBC/Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) inched up to 50.1 in February, a whisker above the 50-point level that separates growth in activity from a contraction on a monthly basis.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a reading of 49.5, little changed from January’s final PMI of 49.7.

But even as factory activity grew marginally, the survey suggested that manufacturers still faced considerable risks from weak foreign demand and deepening deflationary pressures.

While domestic demand picked up slightly, the new export orders subindex shed three hefty points from January to skid to 47.1, the sharpest rate of contraction since June 2013.

“Domestic economic activity is likely to remain sluggish and external demand looks uncertain,” said Qu Hongbin, HSBC’s chief economist in China. Input and output prices also fell. Employment in factories shrank as well for the 16th straight month as firms dismissed workers to adjust to slower business.

The Australian dollar and emerging Asian currencies extended early gains after the PMI report, though shares in China and Hong Kong remained slightly lower.

Although the PMI is supposed to be adjusted for seasonal fluctuations in activity, including over the long Lunar New Year holiday when thousands of factories are shut, many analysts believe they have to wait until March for reliable data.

Economists expect China’s economy growth to cool to 7 per cent in 2015, even with additional stimulus measures. To lift flagging growth, the central bank reduced the amount of cash that banks have to hold as reserves in February for the first time in over two years. In November, it also cut interest rates.