China's industrial profits declined for the third consecutive month, falling 10% year-on-year in October, as ongoing producer price deflation and sluggish factory output overshadowed the effects of recent stimulus measures.
Key Highlights
October Profit Decline:
- Profits fell 10% compared to a sharper 27.1% decline in September.
- Bloomberg Economics had forecast a larger 20% drop.
Year-to-Date Performance:
- Profits contracted 4.3% in the first 10 months of 2024 versus the same period in 2023.
- The data points to a third annual decline in industrial profits.
Sector Impact:
- Industrial profits measure the financial health of factories, mines, and utilities, influencing investment decisions.
Contributing Factors
Deflationary Pressures:
- Producer prices fell faster than expected in October, marking China’s longest period of deflation since 1999.
- Weak domestic demand continues to strain corporate finances.
Output Challenges:
- Industrial output stagnated despite policy support.
- Large enterprises face constrained balance sheets, limiting performance recovery.
Global Headwinds:
- Donald Trump’s election victory raises risks of steep tariffs on Chinese goods, further challenging exports.
- Trade barriers in regions like the European Union compound difficulties for exporters.
Signs of Recovery
Stimulus Impact:
- Recent measures, including monetary easing and real estate sector support, have shown tentative results.
- Infrastructure investment remained steady in October, and the urban jobless rate fell to a four-month low.
Incremental Policy Gains:
- The National Bureau of Statistics noted that accelerated policy implementation is improving performance, though profits remain in decline.
Outlook
China's industrial sector continues to face significant domestic and external pressures, with profits unlikely to recover rapidly without sustained policy intervention. The global trade environment, particularly with Trump’s tariff threats, poses additional challenges for an export-reliant economy already grappling with deflation and weak demand. Signs of improving confidence offer hope, but risks remain elevated.
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