Chinese factory activity edges higher in December
ABC News
A survey shows Chinese factory activity edged higher in December as supply disruptions eased and export demand weakened
BEIJING -- Chinese factory activity edged higher in December as supply disruptions eased and export demand weakened, a survey showed Friday.
The monthly purchasing managers’ index issued by the national statistics agency and an industry group gained to 50.3 from November’s 50.1 on a 100-point scale on which numbers above 50 show activity accelerating.
Chinese manufacturing has been hampered by shortages of some components including semiconductors and disruptions in shipping. Some areas ordered factories to shut down temporarily starting in September to meet official energy efficiency targets.
A measure of new orders improved to 49.7 from November’s 49.4, according to the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing and the National Bureau of Statistics, though demand still was weak. An index of export orders sank to 48.1 from 48.5.
