China's industrial profits extend decline in July

An employee at a company manufacturing lithium batteries in Huaibei, in eastern China’s Anhui province. — AFP

BEIJING: China's industrial profits fell for a third consecutive month in July, as businesses struggled in the face of subdued demand and persistent factory-gate deflation despite policy measures to help shore up the economic recovery.

Exports beat expectations last month but a slew of underwhelming indicators have kept pressure on Beijing to roll out more stimulus.