Beijing’s private factory gauge dips for first time in nine months

Cautious spending: People browse their smartphones in a Starbucks coffee shop in Beijing. Sluggish consumer demand has stung global brands such as the US coffee chain operator. — AFP

BEIJING: China’s manufacturing activity unexpectedly shrank for the first time in nine months in July, a private survey shows, a sign the country’s export machine might be cooling, darkening the economy’s outlook.

The Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers index fell to 49.8 last month from 51.8 in June, according to a statement released by Caixin and S&P Global. It missed the median forecast of 51.5 and was the first time since October the gauge dropped under 50, which indicates contraction.