According to the latest data released by China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing (CFLP) and NBS, the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) of manufacturing industry was 49.5% in March, 0.7 percentage points lower than that in February.

        New order index (NOI) was 48.8% in March, 1.9 percentage points lower than that in February. Production index decreased by 0.9 points to 49.5% in February. Stock index of raw materials was 47.3%, 0.8 percentage points lower than February.

        The PMI of steel industry was 44.3% in March, 3.0 percentage points lower than that in February. New order index was 39.3% in March, 3.9 percentage points lower than that in February. Production index decreased by 3.8 percentage points to 45.4%. The procurement price index of raw materials was 65.2%, 7.1 percentage points higher than that in February. Stock index of raw materials was 38.2%, 4.5 percentage points lower than that in February. The stock index of steel products decreased by 4.7 points to 31.2%.