China’s November Factory Activity Slips as Manufacturing Momentum Weakens

China’s manufacturing sector lost steam in November as factory activity slipped back into contraction, reflecting persistent pressure on domestic demand and slowing production. The latest RatingDog China General Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, fell to 49.9 from October’s 50.6, missing expectations of 50.5. Any reading below 50 signals a contraction, underscoring growing challenges for the world’s second-largest economy. The findings follow an official PMI release a day earlier showing manufacturing shrinking for the eighth consecutive month.

According to RatingDog founder Yao Yu, new export orders improved in November, but the uptick was not enough to counter weak domestic conditions dragging on overall factory performance. Despite a trade truce between China and the United States in October supporting the fastest rise in export orders in eight months, manufacturers continued to face intense competition, leading to a slight drop in export charges.

Official figures also showed industrial profits contracted in October after two months of double-digit gains, reflecting how subdued internal demand is weighing heavily on business earnings. Cooling new orders prompted companies to cut jobs again and scale back purchasing activity for the first time since June.

Falling purchasing volumes and better supplier communication contributed to shorter delivery times. However, the reduced pace of restocking pushed inventories of inputs to their lowest level since December 2023, with businesses choosing not to hold excess stock amid weakening demand. Finished-goods inventories also declined at the fastest rate in nearly three years.

Rising metal prices pushed input costs higher, but many manufacturers opted to absorb the increases and offer additional discounts, resulting in lower output charges. Despite the current slowdown, firms remain cautiously optimistic about the next 12 months. Many expect stronger sales, improved output, and support from upcoming government policies and new product launches. Economists note that while China’s exports may rebound, continued strain from the property sector and fading fiscal support highlight the need for more robust policy measures ahead of December’s Central Economic Work Conference.