
China’s factory activity unexpectedly deteriorated in July to a six-month low despite a tariff truce with the US, as early signs emerge that exports are slowing and weak domestic demand persists.The official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index was 49.3, versus 49.7 in June, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Thursday. The median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg was 49.7. A reading below 50 indicates contraction.The official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index was 49.3, versus 49.7 in June, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Thursday. The median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg was 49.7. A reading below 50 indicates contraction.