China's manufacturing sector growth eased in April, detailed results of a survey by Markit Economics and HSBC revealed Thursday.
The purchasing managers' index, that measures the performance of the manufacturing sector, fell to 50.4 in April from 51.6 in March. This was slightly below the preliminary score of 50.5.
Nonetheless, the PMI has now posted above the 50 no-change mark for six successive months. Readings above 50 indicates expansion of the sector.
"The slower growth of manufacturing activities in April confirmed a fragile growth recovery of the Chinese economy as external demand deteriorated and renewed destocking pressures built up," HSBC chief economist Hongbin Qu said.
Production at manufacturing plants in China increased for the sixth month in a row, though growth slowed to a marginal pace, Markit said. Growth in new orders eased to a five-month low, while new export orders declined for the first time since December last year.
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