China: Nowcasting points to steeper slowdown - SCB


Analysts at Standard Chartered Bank explained that their model suggests that GDP growth decelerated to 6.4% y/y in July-August from 6.7% in Q2.

Key Quotes:

"Weaker FAI and IP activity and generally tighter credit conditions are the main drags."

"We expect a more significant slowdown in H2, although the downside risk appears curbed by policies."

Mostly domestic drags so far

"Our China nowcasting model puts GDP growth at 6.4% y/y in the first two months of Q3-2018, slowing from 6.7% y/y in Q2. The estimate is based on 42 monthly time series covering real activity, trade, monetary, exchange rate and price data. The result suggests that growth momentum softened more significantly amid domestic deleveraging and external trade tensions. 

Plummeting infrastructure investment was the main drag on fixed asset investment (FAI). 

Industrial production (IP) stabilised at a lower level of around 6.0% y/y, following a temporary acceleration in April and May that boosted IP growth to 6.6% y/y in Q2. 

Total social financing (TSF) growth continued to fall on shrinking off-balance-sheet financing. 

Higher US tariffs on Chinese products have started to dim export prospects, while the effect of more expansionary fiscal policy has yet to be felt.  

Taking the model result and other factors into consideration, we expect GDP growth to slow further to 6.5% y/y in Q3 and 6.4% in Q4. 

Weaker exports, softer housing market activity, and the lagged effect of tighter credit will likely weigh on growth in the quarters ahead. On the other hand, the authorities have introduced supportive measures to boost domestic demand, including tax cuts and fiscal spending on infrastructure, and a shift in monetary stance away from a tightening bias. We maintain our 2018 growth forecast at 6.6%."

Share: Feed news

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

AUD/USD stays defensive below 0.6650 amid China worries

AUD/USD stays defensive below 0.6650 amid China worries

AUD/USD seems vulnerable below 0.6650 in Asian trading on Tuesday, undermined by mounting worries over China's economic slowdown. The Aussie shrugs off small rate cuts by the PBOC and a subdued US Dollar. Pre-US earnings results caution also weighs on the pair. 

AUD/USD News

USD/JPY keeps losses below 157.00, as risk-off mood returns

USD/JPY keeps losses below 157.00, as risk-off mood returns

USD/JPY remains under pressure below 157.00 early Tuesday. The Japanese Yen stays bid as risk-off flows return in the Asian session, sustaining the US Dollar weakness-driven downside in the pair. The pair looks to Japanese verbal intervention and mid-tier US data. 

USD/JPY News

Gold price moves away from over one-week low, climbs back above $2,400 mark

Gold price moves away from over one-week low, climbs back above $2,400 mark

Gold price extended its recent corrective slide from the record high touched last week and fell to a more than one-week trough on Monday. US President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 Presidential election increased the chances of Donald Trump becoming the next US President, raising hopes of a looser regulatory environment.

Gold News

This week could be explosive for ETH: Ethereum ETFs to debut in the US on Tuesday

This week could be explosive for ETH: Ethereum ETFs to debut in the US on Tuesday

Ethereum is down nearly 1% on Monday as the SEC confirmed via its website on Tuesday that it has given the final approval for spot ETH ETFs. Considering the ETH ETF launch and the upcoming Bitcoin Conference, this week could prove crucial for Ethereum.

Read more

Earnings review

Earnings review

In recent years, the focus has been on the Magnificent 7, particularly Nvidia’s monster earnings reports, which have dominated the market. While Nvidia’s results are still extremely important for overall sentiment, there is a hope that sales growth and revenues can pick up across a broad range of global markets and sectors.

Read more

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures