8月经济数据点评：供需分化的三个结果

Supply and Demand Analysis - In August, industrial added value grew by 5.2% year-on-year, down from 5.7% in July, while the service production index increased by 5.6%, down from 5.8%[4] - External demand weakened with exports growing by 4.4% year-on-year, down from 7.2% in July, and below the expected 5.9%[4] - Domestic demand also declined, with retail sales growing by 3.4%, unchanged from July, and below the expected 3.8%[4] - Fixed asset investment (FAI) showed a cumulative growth of 0.5%, down from 1.6% in July, with monthly growth dropping from -5.2% to -6.3%[6] Economic Outlook - The divergence between supply and demand is expected to lead to three outcomes: GDP growth will align more closely with supply data, with Q3 GDP growth projected around 5%[4] - Strong supply relative to weak demand may increase price pressures, necessitating stronger policy support for price recovery[4] - Historically, if demand does not strengthen, supply will follow suit, indicating greater pressure on Q4 GDP compared to Q3[4] Sector Performance - High-tech manufacturing remains a key driver of production resilience, with its added value growing by 9.3% year-on-year in August[4] - The restaurant sector showed a rebound in consumption, with retail sales in this category growing by 2.1%, up from 1.1% in July[5] - Fixed asset investment in infrastructure and real estate continued to decline, with infrastructure investment dropping from -1.9% to -6.4% and real estate investment from -17.2% to -19.4%[6]