MNI DATA IMPACT: China April Exports Tumble, Imports Rebound

     BEIJING (MNI) - China's imports bounced back in April, but exports slowed,

data released by the General Administrative of Customs showed Wednesday. Here

are the key points of note:

     - Exports fell 2.7% y/y in April after a 14.2% gain in March,

underperforming the market survey conducted by MNI which projected 3.7% growth.

It was the third year-on-year drop in the last five month. Total exports

amounted to $193.49 billion from $198.67 billion in March.

     - Imports rose 4.0% y/y to $179.65 billion, rebounding from the 7.6% y/y

fall recorded in March, beating MNI's median of -4.0% and marking the first y/y

rise in the past five months. 

     - The trade surplus in April, as a result of smaller exports and larger

imports, narrowed to $13.84 billion from %32.61 billion in March, lower than the

 forecast of $39.1 billion. 

- Exports to the U.S. plunged 13.2% y/y from last month's 3.7% y/y gain, while

imports fell at the same pace of 25.8% y/y. Exports to the EU and Japan both

slowed, rising 6.2% y/y and losing 16.4% y/y, respectively. 

--MNI Beijing Bureau; tel: +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: flora.guo@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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