新旧结构“转换期”？——4月经济数据点评

Core Viewpoints - The economy is transitioning from a phase of "old forces" declining to "new forces" gaining momentum, indicating a structural shift in economic dynamics [2][4][41] Consumption - In April, the growth rate of social retail sales fell to 5.1%, down 0.8 percentage points from the previous month, primarily due to a decline in retail sales of goods above a certain threshold [10][64] - The slowdown in the "old-for-new" policy has negatively impacted consumption, particularly in sectors like automobiles and communication equipment, while essential consumption remains stable, especially in food and pharmaceuticals [2][10] Investment - Fixed asset investment showed weakness, with a cumulative year-on-year growth of 4.0% in April, and a month-on-month decline of 0.8 percentage points to 3.6% [2][16] - The decline in investment is attributed to the nearing end of the equipment renewal cycle, affecting manufacturing and public utility investments [2][16][52] - Service sector investment remains resilient, with a notable rebound in cultural and entertainment investments [3][23] Real Estate - Supply-side issues in real estate are improving, but the release of pent-up demand is entering a "decline phase" [3][26] - The construction completion rate has significantly dropped, leading to a stabilization in housing prices, while real estate investment continues to decline [3][26][61] Industrial Production - Industrial production has seen a decline, with the industrial added value in April at 6.1%, down 1.6 percentage points from March [5][36] - Manufacturing production has also decreased, particularly in sectors related to real estate and consumer goods [36][42] Employment - The urban survey unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 5.1% in April, indicating improved employment pressure for both local and migrant populations [71]