MNI DATA IMPACT: China PMI Edges Lower To 50; Production Slows

     BEIJING (MNI) - China's Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) edged down to 50 in

January from 50.2 in December as production slowed, according to data released

on Friday. 

     MNI highlights the following key points in the statement from the official

statistics bureau:

     --The production sub-index decelerated 1.9 percentage points to 51.3,

partly due to increased procurement costs.

     --The purchase price sub-index of major raw materials rose to 53.8, the

highest since November 2018, due to recent increases in commodity prices.

     --While production growth slowed, demand continued to expand. The new

orders sub-index rose 51.4 in January from last month's 51.2, mirroring an

improving market for manufacturing products. 

     --The export orders sub-index fell to 48.7 from the 50.3 recorded in

December.

     --Non-manufacturing PMI rose 54.1 in January, faster than last month's

53.5. The PMI was buoyed by a strong performance in the postal express delivery,

telecommunications and banking sector.

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: wanxia.lin@marketnews.com

--MNI Sydney Bureau; +61 405322399; email: lachlan.colquhoun.ext@marketnews.com

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