MNI DATA IMPACT: China May Exports Improved, Imports Weak

     BEIJING (MNI) - China's exports bounced back in May, but imports still lack

solid support, data released by the General Administrative of Customs showed

Monday. Here are the key points of note:

     - Exports rose 1.1% y/y in May after a 2.7% drop reported in April, beating

the market survey conducted by MNI which projected 3.9% decrease. Total exports

amounted to $213.84 billion from $193.49 billion in April.

     - Imports plunged 8.5% y/y to $172.19 billion, tumbling from the 4.0% y/y

gain in April, underperforming MNI's median of -2.3% and marking the biggest

monthly fall since August 2016. 

     - The trade surplus in May, driven by strong exports, expanded to $41.65

billion from %13.84 billion in April, larger than the  forecast of $28.5

billion. 

- Exports to the U.S. fell 4.1% y/y in May, following last month's 13.2% y/y

drop, while imports fell a further 26.7% y/y. Exports to the EU have kept a

steady growth at 6.1% (6.2% in Apr), but imports slowed to 1.8%, compared with

last month's 4.4% growth. 

--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

[TOPICS: MAQDS$,MAUDR$,MAUDS$,MDQCB$,M$A$$$,M$Q$$$,M$U$$$,MT$$$$]