China Cracks: Manufacturing Sector Contracts for First Time Since Trade War Began

China’s private manufacturing sector contracted in December, according to a survey released Wednesday. The Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers’ index, which mainly tracks private factories, fell to 49.7 in December from 50.2 in November. Any reading below 50 indicates a contraction. The private PMI has been above 50 since May of 2017. -- More....