After last weekend's schizophrenic expanding (official) / contracting (HSBC) Manufacturing PMI, China's Services PMI printed at 50.7 - its lowest since August 2011, as the business expectations index dropped to an 11-month low. The Composite PMI improved (after 3 months of contraction) but most notably, the composite employment declines at the fastest pace since Feb 2009. What is perhaps most worrisome is, as Markit notes, "The latest survey signalled the second-weakest degree of optimism since the series began in November 2005."
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Subdued client demand and an uncertain economic outlook weighed on service sector confidence towards the 12-month business outlook in May.
The latest survey signalled the second-weakest degree of optimism since the series began in November 2005.
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“The headline HSBC China Services PMI moderated to 50.7 in May, down from 51.4 in April. Latest data signalled a relatively big drop in the business expectations index, which fell to an 11-month low of 58.1, down from 60.7 in April. Both the new business and outstanding business indices were slightly weaker than April. The employment index, unchanged over the month, remained at a relatively low level. Coming after the stronger Manufacturing PMI reading for May, the slight disappointment in the headline Services PMI suggests that growth momentum remains slow and private sector sentiment is weak.
We think policy makers should continue to ease monetary and fiscal policies in the coming months to help support growth.”