Yicai December Economist Index Remains Above 50
The Yicai China Chief Economists Confidence Index reached 50.72 in December, down from 50.78 in November, marking the third consecutive month above the expansion mark of 50, the Yicai news outlet said. Regarding November’s economic data, the surveyed economists' average forecast for fixed-asset investment growth was 3.45% y/y, total retail sales of consumer goods at 5.27%, and industrial added value at 5.26%. Lian Ping, president of the China Chief Economist Forum, anticipated GDP growth of around 5.2% in Q4, and about 5% for 2024. Economists expect the upcoming Central Economic Work Conference to maintain the tone of stable growth while focusing on expanding domestic demand, developing new productive forces and consolidating the real-estate market.