China’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to 52.9 in January from 53.9 in December, the lowest in five months, indicating a slowdown in production and economic growth in the face of mounting input prices, Reuters reported. According to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, the input price sub-index jumped to 69.3 in January from 66.7 in December as inflationary pressures increased. Consumer prices have been edging higher in recent months, growing 4.6% in December and 5.1% in November 2010. However, despite the dip in the January PMI, it still marked the 23rd consecutive month that the figure has remained over the threshold of 50, which indicates expansion.