The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dropped to 50.8 in April from 52 in March, China’s National Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday, and above the neutral 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis.
Analysts polled by Reuters had expected a reading of 51.
Most China watchers expect a sustainable bounce is some way off due to rising layoffs and slowing demand as many major economies grapple with lockdowns to control the COVID-19 pandemic.
