China's February exports drop 18.1% year-on-year

A sharp drop in China’s exports in February swung the country’s trade balance into a deficit and fueled fears of an economic slowdown, Reuters reported, citing a statement by the General Administration of Customs on Saturday. Exports in February fell 18.1% from a year earlier, following a 10.6% jump in January. A series of factory surveys since the start of 2014 indicate weakness in economic activity as demand falters at home and abroad. Analysts cautioned that the long Lunar New Year holiday may be distorting the single-month figures for January or February.