China official manufacturing PMI eases to 49.4 in January, misses forecasts

Reuters

Published Jan 31, 2016 08:10PM ET

China official manufacturing PMI eases to 49.4 in January, misses forecasts

BEIJING (Reuters) - Activity in China's manufacturing sector contracted more than expected in January, missing market expectations and weaker than the previous month, an official survey showed on Monday.

The official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) stood at 49.4 in January, compared to the previous month's reading of 49.7 and below the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis.

Analysts polled by Reuters predicted a reading of 49.6, suggesting the sixth consecutive month of contraction.