April data shows sharp slowdown in China’s retail sales and industrial output, undershooting forecasts amid weak demand and geopolitical pressures.
China’s retail sales growth slowed to 0.2% year-on-year in April, the weakest pace since December 2022, as industrial output rose just 4.1%, missing forecasts of 5.9%. The data reflects sluggish domestic demand and external pressures, including higher energy costs linked to regional tensions.
March’s industrial output growth was 5.7%, while retail sales had been expected to rise 2%. Fixed-asset investment contracted 1.6% in the first four months of the year, reversing a 1.7% gain in the prior quarter. Car sales fell 21.6% year-on-year, marking a seventh straight monthly decline.
Authorities acknowledged a grim international environment and supply-demand imbalances but offered no new stimulus measures. First-quarter GDP growth of 5.0% met Beijing’s target, though analysts warn of uneven recovery risks.