Data from The Conference Board show that China’s growth has been rekindled, albeit modestly. “The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for China increased 0.5 percent in May to 155.0 (2004 = 100), following a 0.1 percent increase in April and a 0.9 percent increase in March,” the firm said.
The six components of The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for China include:
Total Loans Issued by Financial Institutions (source: People’s Bank of China)
5000 Industry Enterprises Diffusion Index: Raw Materials Supply Index (source: People’s Bank of China)
NBS Manufacturing PMI Sub-Indices: PMI Supplier Deliveries (source: National Bureau of Statistics)
Consumer Expectations Index (source: National Bureau of Statistics)
Total Floor Space Started (source: National Bureau of Statistics)
NBS Manufacturing PMI Sub-Indices: Export Orders (source: National Bureau of Statistics)
The one set of data does not mean enough to say whether it is a sign of a growth is inflation. Economists will have to wait for PMI and direct inflation data to tell that.
Douglas A. McIntyre
