The National Bureau of Statistics reported that profits from Chinese industrial companies plunged to the lowest level in January and February since 2009, due to slowing exports and government restrictions on property, Bloomberg reported. Net income for Chinese chemical producers, automakers and other major industrial companies fell 5.2% to US$96 billion (RMB606 billion) from the year earlier, in sharp contrast to its 34.3% year-on-year increase for the same two-month period in 2011. The data may trigger additional policy stimulus. Chang Jian, an economist at Barclays Capital said the decline is “clearly alarming” and predicted that “more policy easing should be on the way, though at a measured pace.” But she noted the government is very unlikely to loosen property curbs. Dariusz Kowalczyk, a strategist from Credit Agricole CIB, estimated the report may also lead to cutting interest rates and required reserves.
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