China’s factory activity shrinks for a third month as recovery momentum stalls

China’s factory activity in June contracted for a third month, adding to the gloom over weak growth in the world’s second-largest economy and likely inflaming calls for further stimulus.

The official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) came in at 49.0 in June — compared to 48.8 in May and 49.2 in April — according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics released on Friday. June’s reading was in line with the median forecast in a Reuters poll.

Friday’s figures also showed China posting its weakest official non-manufacturing PMI reading this year, coming in at 53.2 in June — compared to 54.5 in May and 56.4 in April.

A reading above 50 points to an expansion in activity, while a reading below that level suggests a contraction.

“Economic momentum is still quite weak in China. Recent data shows the global economy is slowing, which will likely put further pressure on external demand in the coming months,” said Zhang Zhiwei, Pinpoint Asset Management’s president and chief economist.

“On the other hand, the government’s growth target of 5% this year is quite modest given the low base last year. It is not clear if the weak economic data would push the government to launch aggressive stimulus measures soon,” he added.

The Hang Seng Index and the CSI300 index, which consists of the largest Shanghai and Shenzhen listings, reversed losses to rise marginally in early Friday trade after the PMI data was released. The Chinese yuan weakened.

Economic growth in April and May was weaker than expected, intensifying calls for more decisive monetary measures to support China’s growth, as a much-anticipated post-Covid rebound disappointed.

However, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Tuesday his country was still on track to reach its annual growth target of around 5% — a modest target after China grew just 3% last year, one of the weakest showings in nearly half a century.

— This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.