Slower factory growth China’s purchasing managers’ index slips in December

BEIJING: China’s manufacturing growth slowed in December for the first time in six months, official figures showed, suggesting the world’s second largest economy faced headwinds at the end of last year.

The purchasing managers’ index (PMI) was at 51.0, down from November’s 51.4, the National Bureau of Statistics said on its website. A reading above 50 signals expansion while a figure below indicates contraction.