China’s official purchasing managers’ index fell to 52.9 in April from 53.4 in March, helping to assuage concerns that inflationary pressures and an overheating economy will require further tightening measures, the Wall Street Journal reported. Manufacturing growth had accelerated briefly in March, following three consecutive monthly slowdowns, according to the data issued Sunday by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing and the National Bureau of Statistics. A PMI reading of more than 50 indicates an expansion in activity, while one below 50 indicates contraction. This month’s data also showed a decline in the input prices sub-index to 66.2 from 68.3 in March; a drop in the new export orders sub-index to 51.3 from 52.5 the previous month, and a decline in the import orders sub-index to 50.6 from 52 in March. On Friday, the China PMI measure released by HSBC Holdings (HSBA.LOND, 0005.HK) was unchanged from the previous month at 51.8, while its two price sub-indexes indicated inflation may be moderating.
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