An independent gauge of China’s manufacturing sector pointed to a return to slight growth in September following a period of stagnation in August.
The Caixin-Markit manufacturing purchasing managers’ index for September came in at 50.1, barely above the 50-point marker separating growth from contraction after landing on it in August to indicate neither one. The latest reading was in line with a median forecast calling for the same from economists.
The Caixin gauge is normally published on the first of each month shortly after the official PMI from China’s National Bureau of Statistics released, but the latter is scheduled to be released on Saturday. The official gauge focuses on larger state firms, while the Caixin PMI concentrates on smaller-scale private firms with less access to lending and government support, meaning readings form the two often diverge.