
China’s April factory activity ticks higher, but growth softens on weaker orders
China’s official manufacturing PMI rose to 50.3 in April, beating expectations and signaling expansion, but growth cooled from March as new orders slowed. The non-manufacturing PMI contracted, while a private PMI jumped to 52.2—the strongest since December 2020—driven by solid demand and new product launches. Export orders rose, though input prices remained elevated due to oil amid Middle East tensions.


