【广发宏观郭磊】PMI价格指标连续第三个月回升

Core Viewpoint - The August PMI indicates a divergence among industries, with manufacturing stabilizing slightly, service sectors improving significantly, and construction experiencing a notable decline. However, all three sectors show a common trend of improving sales prices [1][5]. Manufacturing Sector - The August manufacturing PMI stands at 49.4, slightly up from 49.3 in July, indicating a need for further support for actual growth [5]. - The production index is above 50 at 50.8, reflecting a stronger production performance compared to new orders, which remain below 50 [9][10]. - The consumer goods sector is a major drag on manufacturing PMI, while high-tech manufacturing shows strength, and both equipment manufacturing and basic raw materials industries show slight improvements [10] - The raw material purchase price index rose to 53.3, up 1.8 points, while the factory price index increased to 49.1, up 0.8 points, marking the third consecutive month of price increases [11][12]. Service Sector - The service sector PMI for August is 50.5, up from 50.0, indicating a positive trend influenced by capital market services, which have seen a business activity index above 70 for two consecutive months [5][10]. - Retail sentiment remains weak, suggesting challenges in consumer spending [10]. Construction Sector - The construction PMI dropped to 49.1 from 50.6, attributed to adverse weather conditions and a slowdown in construction activities [18]. - Fiscal spending on infrastructure showed a year-on-year decline of 3.6% in July, continuing a trend of low spending [18]. Economic Indicators - The three "soft indicators" for August reveal low absolute values, indicating a short-term economic slowdown compared to the first half of the year [19]. - Price indicators show a continuous improvement, which may influence future PPI trends [19]. - The manufacturing inventory index decreased to 46.8, while the raw material inventory index increased to 48.0, reflecting a proactive approach by companies to replenish stocks in response to rising prices [16][15]. Future Outlook - Attention is needed on the government's emphasis on stabilizing construction and actual growth, as well as whether the continuous improvement in PMI price indicators can translate into a rise in PPI [19]. - The manufacturing production expectation index rose to 53.7, the highest since April, indicating improved business expectations possibly linked to price expectations [17].