Economy slowing, price figures indicate

China's producer price index grew 5.8% from a year ago in January, compared to 7.1% in December, indicating that lending restrictions curbed an investment expansion that has choked raw materials and energy supplies. The latest official figures show the PPI at its slowest growth in nine months. The price of crude oil and refined oil declined in January, with the PPI for crude rising 19.1% year-over-year, down from 35.6% in December.