INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightGetty ImagesChinese factory activity contracted for a second straight month in January, the official Purchasing Managers
The index ticked up to 49.5, but remained below the 50-point level that separates growth from contraction
China reported its weakest economic expansion in 28 years in 2018, and growth is expected to slow further
Already, a number of multinationals have said sluggish growth in China has affected their bottom line
The manufacturing data was up slightly from the 49.4 level recorded in December
Marcel Thieliant, economist at Capital Economics, said while the PMI didn't weaken any further in January, "it still suggests that the
economy lost momentum at the start of the year".Other data, such as consumer sentiment and retail sales figures, also point to weakening
demand in the world's second largest economy
Several international companies have warned on China's slowdown, including Apple
The tech giant blamed a 5% fall in revenues partly on China
Shares of industrial equipment giant Caterpillar took a beating earlier this week, after the company reported its sales slipped 4%, largely
due to slow sales in China
Chipmaker Nvidia also reported softer sales due to a sluggish Chinese market
3M, which makes products from adhesive tapes to air filters, also said weak customer demand in China affected its bottom line.China has
been attempting to reform its economy to rely more on domestic consumption instead of exports and investment to fuel growth
The US-China trade war is also creating economic uncertainty.The latest figures come as officials from both sides meet in Washington to try
If the two sides cannot reach an agreement by 1 March, the US has said it will increase the tariff rate from 10% to 25% on Chinese goods
worth an estimated $200bn (£154.4bn).
