Chinese manufacturing growth eases in January

China’s official purchasing managers’ index eased to 50.4 in January, indicating the economy is in the midst of a mild recovery, Reuters reported, citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics. The figure was below analysts expectations for a nine-month high of 50.9 and down from 50.6 in December. China’s official PMI has remained above 50, the level that indicates manufacturing activity is accelerating, since August 2012. Both the new orders sub-index and the quantity purchases sub-index rose to nine-month highs. The final HSBC (HBC.NYSE, HSBA.LON, 0005.HKG) Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 52.3 in January, its highest level since January 2011, Reuters reported.