China's May factory activity flat as weak demand slows growth
China's factory activity was flat in May after two months of expansion, official data showed Sunday, as weaker demand and rising energy costs due to the Middle East war weighed on growth.
The manufacturing purchasing manager's index — a key measure of industrial activity — was 50.0 in May, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The 50.0 mark separates expansion from contraction.
Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had predicted a reading of 50.0 as well.
