Manufacturing Sector - In July, the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) decreased to 49.3%, down 0.4 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a decline in manufacturing activity due to seasonal factors and adverse weather conditions [2][3] - The production index remained in expansion at 50.5%, while the new orders index fell to 49.4%, reflecting a slowdown in market demand [3] - Large enterprises maintained expansion with a PMI of 50.3%, while medium-sized enterprises improved to 49.5%, and small enterprises decreased to 46.4% [4] - The price index showed an upward trend, with the main raw materials purchasing price index rising to 51.5%, marking the first increase above the critical point since March [3][4] - New momentum in the manufacturing sector is evident, with the equipment manufacturing PMI at 50.3% and high-tech manufacturing PMI at 50.6%, both above the critical point [4] Non-Manufacturing Sector - The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index stood at 50.1%, down 0.4 percentage points from the previous month, but still above the critical point [5] - The service sector's business activity index was stable at 50.0%, with significant growth in transportation and tourism-related industries, while real estate and residential services lagged [5][6] - The construction sector's business activity index fell to 50.6%, influenced by adverse weather conditions, with a corresponding decrease in market expectations [6] Composite PMI - The Composite PMI Output Index decreased to 50.2%, down 0.5 percentage points from the previous month, indicating overall expansion in production and business activities [7] - The manufacturing production index and non-manufacturing business activity index were recorded at 50.5% and 50.1%, respectively, both indicating continued expansion [7]

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].