China's non-manufacturing PMI rebounds in April

The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's non-manufacturing sector gained 0.3 from a month earlier to make 54.8 in April. A PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction. The index, tracking activity in a number of sectors, including construction, software, aviation, railway transport and real estate, is compiled by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP). CFLP Vice Chairman Cai Jin attributed the rebound to the warming of tertiary industry and the recovering market demand against the backdrop that China's economic growth has shown signs of stabilizing after an array of grim indicators at the beginning of the year. The logistics-related industries has picked up pace, while wholesale and retail sector was vitalized, Cai said, noting the dynamic activities, along with the mild change in price index, will contribute to stable economic growth. The sub-index for tertiary sector climbed 0.6 month on month to 53.4, while that of the construction sector stood at 60.9, indicating dynamic activities despite being 0.4 down from the previous month. The index of new orders was flat at 50.8, as demand from the tertiary sector recovered slightly but sectors including catering and transportation were lackluster. The index for business outlook remained unchanged at 61.5, marking optimism among non-manufacturing enterprises about the market in the next three months. Wu Wei, analyst from China Logistics Information Center, thought the improved index suggest consumption has started to look up, especially in tourism sectors which are expected to be driven higher due to the three-day Workers' Day holiday. China's non-manufacturing sector still maintains the advancing impetus as shown in the indices, Wu said, but stressing the necessity of implementing favorable measures to prop growth as the index of new orders lingers around 50 and the increase in tertiary sector was limited. China's PMI for manufacturing sector increased to 50.4 in April, marking the second consecutive monthly uptick after three months of declines. The economy expanded 7.4 percent year on year in the first quarter, slowing but outpacing market expectations and leading global growth.