China factory growth seen easing again in August - Reuters Poll

According to the latest Reuters poll, China’s manufacturing sector activity is seen easing for the third consecutive month in August amid slowing domestic demand and escalating US-China trade tensions.

Key Findings:

“The official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is expected to fall to 51.0 in August from 51.2 in July, according to the median forecast of 37 economists in the Reuters poll. The 50-mark divides expansion from contraction on a monthly basis.

China’s manufacturing industry has been growing for two years but is now facing a triple threat — higher borrowing costs; cooling investment and consumer spending; and a potential export shock.

Separately, a private survey on China’s factory expansion is forecast to hit a 14-month low in August.

The private Caixin/Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ index (PMI) is expected to have fallen to 50.6 in August from 50.8 in July.”