Core Viewpoint - The manufacturing PMI has shown a slight recovery, indicating a mixed economic outlook with strengths in the manufacturing sector and weaknesses in the construction industry [2][4][5]. Group 1: PMI Data Overview - The manufacturing PMI for March is reported at 50.5%, an increase from the previous value of 50.2% [2][16]. - The production index stands at 52.6%, up by 0.1 percentage points from 52.5% [16]. - The new orders index has risen to 51.8% from 51.1%, while the new export orders index is at 49.0%, slightly up from 48.6% [16]. - The employment index is at 48.2%, down from 48.6%, indicating a contraction in employment [16]. - The supplier delivery time index is at 50.3%, down from 51.0%, and the raw material inventory index is at 47.2%, slightly up from 47.0% [16]. Group 2: Sector Performance - The construction sector's PMI is at 53.4%, down from 56.2% year-on-year, indicating a slowdown [5][10]. - The construction employment index has dropped to 41.4% from 45.6%, reflecting a significant decline in workforce [10]. - The new orders index for construction is at 43.5%, down from 46.8%, highlighting ongoing demand concerns [10]. - The basic raw materials PMI is at 49.3%, down from 49.8%, influenced by the weak construction sector [10]. Group 3: Economic Assessment - The comprehensive PMI index for Q1 is at 50.9%, higher than Q4 2023 and Q3 2024, but lower than Q4 2024 and Q1-Q2 2024 [3][13]. - The manufacturing sector shows strength, particularly in the midstream equipment manufacturing, with a PMI of 52% [4][9]. - The EPMI index for March is reported at 59.6%, indicating robust performance in the equipment manufacturing sector [4][9].

Core Viewpoint - The manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in March rose to 50.5%, indicating a slight improvement in manufacturing activity compared to February, driven by seasonal factors, policy support, and technological innovations [1][4]. Manufacturing PMI Analysis - The production index, new orders index, new export orders index, and raw materials inventory index all increased, with rises between 0.1 to 0.7 percentage points [1]. - The new orders index reached 51.8%, up 0.7 percentage points from February, indicating sustained demand [4]. - The production index was at 52.6%, reflecting a continuous upward trend for two months [4]. Sector Performance - High-tech manufacturing sectors, such as railway, aerospace, and electronics, showed strong performance with production and new orders indices above 55.0% [6]. - Conversely, industries like wood processing and coal showed indices below the critical point, indicating supply-demand imbalances [6]. - The consumer goods manufacturing PMI rose to 50.0%, driven by policies promoting consumption [6]. Price Indices and Market Dynamics - The main raw materials purchase price index fell to 49.8%, while the factory price index dropped to 47.9%, indicating a supply surplus [7][8]. - The decline in prices is attributed to weak demand and increased production, particularly in the basic raw materials sector [7][8]. Future Outlook - The manufacturing sector is expected to continue its stable recovery in the second quarter, supported by government policies aimed at expanding domestic demand and promoting new urbanization [9]. - The manufacturing production and business activity expectation index was at 53.8%, indicating optimism among enterprises [9]. - However, potential challenges include the impact of increased tariffs on exports and the need for further stabilization in the real estate market [9].

Core Viewpoint - The economy is continuing to improve, with March manufacturing PMI at 50.5, service PMI at 50.3, and construction PMI at 53.4, all showing month-on-month increases [1][4]. Group 1: Economic Indicators - The manufacturing PMI increased by 0.3 points from the previous month, while service PMI also rose by 0.3 points, and construction PMI saw a 0.7 point increase [1][4]. - The export order index has shown resilience, rising slightly, indicating external demand remains stable despite tariff pressures [1][5]. - Small enterprise PMI improved significantly by 3.3 points in March, reflecting better financial conditions [1][5]. - High-tech manufacturing PMI was reported at 52.3, indicating relative strength compared to previous periods [5]. Group 2: Recovery Characteristics - Despite some positive indicators, the overall data reflects a weak recovery, with manufacturing PMI lower than the previous year's value of 50.8 and below the historical average of 0.7 points for March [2][5]. - Service sector performance is also lagging, with March values lower than seasonal expectations, showing a cumulative decline compared to similar periods in previous years [5][6]. - The construction sector's performance is being hindered by insufficient support from infrastructure investments, as indicated by the lower demand from this sector [2][7]. Group 3: Price Indices and Employment - Both price indices showed a month-on-month decline, with expectations for March PPI indicating slight negative growth [10][12]. - Employment indicators in manufacturing, services, and construction sectors showed a decline in March, although the overall trend since September has been upward [12][13]. - The BCI enterprise hiring index also decreased, suggesting a cautious approach to hiring amid structural changes in labor demand [12][13]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The report suggests that the economic trajectory in 2025 may resemble that of 2016, with gradual improvements expected in consumer spending, local investment, and price indices [12][13]. - The overall economic growth is anticipated to experience fluctuations throughout the year, with a focus on validating the effectiveness of policy measures aimed at stabilizing growth [14].

3月制造业生产经营活动预期指数为53.8%，连续6个月运行在54%左右的较好水平。 3月份，春节因素影响逐步消退，企业生产经营活动加快，制造业景气水平持续回升。 国家统计局3月31日发布的3月份制造业采购经理指数（PMI）为50.5%，比上月上升0.3个百分点，连续 两个月位于荣枯线之上。 中国物流与采购联合会特约分析师张立群认为，3月份PMI指数在荣枯线上继续小幅回升，表明经济回 升苗头更为明显。同时要注意到，采购量指数回落，购进价格指数和出厂价格指数均有回落，表明供大 于求的问题仍然突出；反映需求不足为主要困难的企业占比仍在60%之上，生产经营活动预期指数也有 所回落，企业恢复生产的信心仍然不足。 张立群表示，综合看，受政策推动经济初显回升态势，但基础还不稳定。要持续加大宏观政策逆周期调 节力度，特别要显著加强政府公共产品投资在扩大内需中的关键作用，坚持不懈地尽快改变市场引导的 需求收缩趋势。 供需两端协同增长 分企业规模来看，3月份大型企业PMI为51.2%，虽较上月下降1.3个百分点，仍保持在扩张区间，表明 大型企业增速虽有所放缓，但仍保持上升势头。大型企业生产指数保持在54%，新订单指数保持在接近 ...