
China's producer price index (PPI) contracted 1.6 percent year on year in January, following a 1.4-percent drop in December, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Friday. The index, which measures inflation at the wholesale level, has been in deflationary territory for 23 consecutive months, the longest drop since the 1990s. The PPI edged down 0.1 percent month on month in January. In December, the index remained unchanged from the preceding month. The NBS also said the consumer price index rose 2.5 percent last month from a year earlier, the same pace as in December. The data came after China's January trade numbers showed both imports and exports were sharply higher last month, defying expectations of a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy. However, analysts said the data is not convincing enough to judge the performance of the country's economy as economic statistics in January and February are always distorted by the shifting timing of the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, which began on Jan. 31 this year. Yu Qiumei, a senior statistician with the NBS, attributed the January consumer inflation rise mainly to surging prices of food as the Lunar New Year holiday pushed up demand for vegetables and meat. Yu said the moderation in producer prices was also due to the holiday's impact on production, as industrial companies suspended operations for the period. Market reactions to the price index figures were mixed. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.5 percent to close the morning session at 2,108.91. The Shenzhen Component Index edged down 0.16 percent to end at 7,844.65.
GMT 19:47 2018 Saturday ,06 January
Global stocks extend rally; London hits record peakGMT 19:22 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
Worldwide stocks start year on a highGMT 10:37 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
Asian markets build on gains, dollar faces further weaknessGMT 17:30 2017 Sunday ,31 December
London stocks end year on record highGMT 18:04 2017 Thursday ,28 December
Miners boost stocks in thin holiday tradingGMT 18:51 2017 Monday ,25 December
Oman’s share index falls on lack of buying supportGMT 08:49 2017 Sunday ,24 December
'Virtual gold' may glitter, but mining it can be really dirtyGMT 17:45 2017 Saturday ,23 December
Madrid stocks sink on Catalan woes; London hits record
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor