China's retail sales fell for the first time in over three years and slid 0.6% in May, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Tuesday (June 16), which was the first monthly fall since December 2022. Property investment extended its decline in the first five months, dropping 16.2% compared with the same period last year after falling 13.7% in January-to-April. Property sales and new construction also fell more sharply. Investment data was also much weaker than expected. Fixed-asset investment fell 4.1% in the first five months of 2026, following a 1.6% decline in January-April. Economists had expected a 2% fall.

China's April retail sales grew just 0.2% YoY, the weakest since December 2022, as HSBC slashes its 2026 forecast and GDP growth projections fall.

Fixed-asset investment dropped worse-than-expected 4.1% in first five months, highlighting persistent economic headwinds

May figure misses expectations as fading stimulus, property slump stifle demand

China's economy shows a worrying split in May. While factories are humming with strong exports, consumer spending took a hit, with retail sales falling for the first time in over…