The performance shown by the Caixin......>

CHINA DATA: The performance shown by the Caixin PMI index - which focuses more

on smaller and medium-sized companies - once again did not move in the same

direction as the official manufacturing PMI, jointly released on Thursday by the

China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing and the National Bureau of

Statistics. The Caixin PMI index showed small enterprises are suffering from

weaker export demands, while domestic demands remain robust. As raw material

prices rise, some surveyed companies are laying off workers to cut producing

costs, resulting in lower inventories. However, both PMI reports showed that

business sentiments are positive, though the optimism showed by Caixin PMI is

lower.