1. Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - In March, the manufacturing PMI exceeded seasonal expectations and returned above the boom - bust line, with the production index seasonally rebounding, both domestic and external demand improving, and enterprises actively replenishing inventories. The service industry PMI returned to the expansion range, while the construction industry was still in the contraction range, and cost - rising pressure emerged. The subsequent focus should be on international situation changes and promoting various economic - stabilizing policies [1][10]. - The improvement in the manufacturing PMI in March led to some adjustments in the bond market. The current core driving factors of the market are the Middle East situation, inflation expectations, and the increasing allocation power in the bond market. Ultra - long - term interest rates have entered a stage of restorative decline, and the bond market is expected to be volatile and bullish. Future attention should be paid to the persistence of the decline in risk appetite, the situation of fundamental recovery, and the special treasury bond issuance plan in Q2 [4][36]. 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 3.1 3 - month PMI Data Review - Manufacturing: In March, the manufacturing PMI was 50.4%, a 1.4 - percentage - point increase from the previous month, returning above the boom - bust line after two months. The production index seasonally recovered, both domestic and external demand improved, the price index rebounded significantly, enterprises actively replenished inventories, and procurement volume returned to the expansion range [10]. - Non - manufacturing: The service industry PMI returned to the expansion range, and the construction industry's contraction slowed down. In March, the service industry business activity index rose 0.5 percentage points to 50.2%, and the construction industry business activity index rose 1.1 percentage points to 49.3%. However, the month - on - month performance of both was weaker than the non - epidemic Spring Festival seasonality [12][15]. 3.2 Manufacturing: Simultaneous Improvement in Production and Demand, and a Significant Rebound in the Price Index - Production: The manufacturing PMI production index in March was 51.4%, a 1.8 - percentage - point increase from the previous month, returning to the expansion range. This was due to the return of employees after the Spring Festival, the recovery of market demand, and the further manifestation of policy effects [16]. - Demand: Both domestic and external demand improved. The proportion of manufacturing enterprises reporting insufficient market demand dropped to below 50% for the first time since July 2022. The new order and new export order indexes increased by 3.0 and 4.1 percentage points respectively. SMEs stabilized, and three key industries expanded rapidly [18][20]. - Price: Affected by rising commodity prices and accelerated corporate procurement, the main raw material purchase price index and ex - factory price index rose by 9.1 and 4.8 percentage points respectively. The ex - factory price index reached a new high since April 2022, indicating that the year - on - year growth rate of PPI in March is expected to turn positive [22]. - Inventory: Enterprises actively replenished inventories, and procurement volume returned to the expansion range. The raw material inventory and finished - product inventory indexes increased by 0.2 and 0.9 percentage points respectively, and the procurement volume index rose to 50.9% [23]. 3.3 Non - manufacturing: Service Industry PMI Returns to Expansion, Construction Industry's Contraction Slows Down - Service Industry: In March, the service industry's prosperity increased slightly by 0.5 percentage points, returning above the boom - bust line. Industries such as railway transportation, telecommunications, and finance were in a high - prosperity range, while consumer - related industries declined due to the high base of Spring Festival consumption [29]. - Construction Industry: In March, the construction industry business activity index rose 1.1 percentage points to 49.3%. The civil engineering construction industry showed a significant increase, while the housing construction industry was still below 50%. The overall recovery was slower than in previous post - holiday periods [32]. 3.4 Impact on the Bond Market - In March, the manufacturing PMI exceeded seasonal expectations, the service industry PMI returned to expansion, but the construction industry was still in contraction, and cost - rising pressure emerged. The bond market adjusted due to the improvement in the manufacturing PMI. The current core driving factors are the Middle East situation, inflation expectations, and the increasing allocation power in the bond market. The bond market is expected to be volatile and bullish, and future attention should focus on risk appetite, fundamental recovery, and the special treasury bond issuance plan in Q2 [36].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the recovery signals in the Chinese economy post-Spring Festival, with key indicators such as the manufacturing PMI and non-manufacturing business activity index returning to expansion territory, indicating improved economic confidence and activity levels [3][5]. Manufacturing Sector Recovery - In March, the manufacturing new orders index rose to 51.6%, up 3 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a return to expansion after two months below 50% [5]. - The new export orders index improved significantly to 49.1%, an increase of 4.1 percentage points, reflecting better external demand [5]. - The production index for manufacturing rose to 51.4%, up 1.8 percentage points, signaling a steady recovery in production as companies resumed operations post-holiday [5]. - Employment in the equipment manufacturing and high-tech sectors showed improvement, with indices rising to near 50%, indicating stabilization in new growth sectors [6]. - The production expectations index for March was 53.4%, suggesting increased confidence among manufacturing firms regarding market developments [6]. Price Dynamics and Material Costs - The purchasing volume index rose to 50.9%, indicating expansion in raw material procurement activities, while the purchasing price index surged to 63.9%, reflecting a significant increase in raw material prices [7]. - The ex-factory price index reached 55.4%, marking a new high since April 2022, driven by rising demand and material costs [7]. - The rapid increase in basic raw material prices, with the purchasing price index exceeding 70%, has led to higher costs for downstream manufacturing sectors [8]. - The geopolitical situation in the Middle East has contributed to rising costs in oil and chemical sectors, impacting overall manufacturing costs and potentially affecting production rhythms [9]. Non-Manufacturing Sector Insights - The non-manufacturing business activity index for March was 50.1%, reflecting a slight increase, with construction and service sectors showing varied performance [11]. - The construction activity index rose to 49.3%, indicating a slight recovery post-Spring Festival, while service-related sectors faced challenges due to rising costs from geopolitical tensions [12]. - The retail, accommodation, and catering sectors experienced a decline in activity levels, suggesting a need for further monitoring of consumer demand recovery [13].

Group 1: PMI Overview - The manufacturing PMI for March is 50.4%, an increase of 1.4 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a return to the expansion zone[1] - The production index for manufacturing rose to 51.4%, up 1.8 percentage points, reflecting accelerated manufacturing activity[3] - The new orders index for manufacturing increased to 51.6%, a rise of 3 percentage points, marking a return to the expansion zone after two months below 50%[3] Group 2: Economic Conditions - The composite PMI output index is 50.5%, up 1.0 percentage points from last month, indicating overall improvement in business activities[8] - The non-manufacturing business activity index is at 50.1%, an increase of 0.6 percentage points, ending two consecutive months below 50%[7] - The equipment manufacturing new orders index rose over 3 percentage points to above 53%[1] Group 3: Price Trends and Cost Pressures - The raw material purchase price index surged to 63.9%, a significant increase of 9.1 percentage points, indicating rising costs in manufacturing[5] - The ex-factory price index rose to 55.4%, up 4.8 percentage points, remaining in the expansion zone for three consecutive months[6] - The geopolitical situation in the Middle East has contributed to rising costs, particularly in the petrochemical sector, affecting the supply chain[6] Group 4: Employment and Business Sentiment - The employment index remains low at 48.6%, indicating ongoing employment pressures and insufficient hiring willingness[21] - The business expectations index for manufacturing rose to 53.4%, up 0.2 percentage points, reflecting optimism among manufacturers[2] - Large enterprises have a PMI of 51.6%, while small and medium enterprises have PMIs of 49% and 49.3%, respectively, showing marginal improvement in smaller firms[4]

1. Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided in the given content 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - In March 2026, the manufacturing PMI rebounded beyond expectations, indicating an economic recovery, but the recovery strength is average and the expectations are cautious. Without considering external uncertainties, the prices of domestically - priced commodities are expected to rise. The manufacturing PMI in April 2026 is likely to decline, which is a crucial observation window [4][5][6]. - In March 2026, the non - manufacturing PMI rose, but multiple sub - items are at historically low levels, and the non - manufacturing industry is still in the bottom - building process. The construction industry is still in a downward trend, but the sales price sub - item has bottomed out [29][32]. 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs Part 1: Review of China's Manufacturing and Non - manufacturing PMI Data Tables - Manufacturing PMI: In March 2026, all sub - items of the manufacturing PMI increased compared to February. The significant increases include the purchase price of main raw materials (up 9 to 63.9), ex - factory price (up 4.8 to 55.4), import (up 4.2 to 49.8), new export orders (up 4.1 to 49.1), and new orders (up 3 to 51.6) [3][4]. - Non - manufacturing PMI: In March 2026, the business activity of non - manufacturing PMI was 50.1, up 0.6 from the previous month. The sub - items with relatively large increases were new export orders, input prices, sales prices, and delivery time. The sub - items with relatively large decreases were domestic demand, inventory, business activity expectations, and employees [3][29]. Part 2: March Manufacturing PMI Reflects Economic Service Beyond Expectations - Manufacturing PMI reached 50.4 in March 2026, up 1.4 from the previous month, higher than the market expectation of 50.1, and above the 50 boom - bust line again after two months. All sub - items increased, indicating an economic recovery. However, some key sub - items are still below 50, and some sub - items are at the second - lowest or lowest levels in the same period since 2018. The economic recovery is influenced by factors such as the arrival of the demand peak season, economic improvement, and price increases due to the Middle East conflict. The recovery strength is average, and expectations are cautious. The prices of domestically - priced commodities are expected to rise. In April 2026, the manufacturing PMI is likely to decline, which is a crucial observation window [4][5][6]. Part 3: Multiple Sub - items of March Non - manufacturing PMI are at Historically Low Levels - In March 2026, the non - manufacturing PMI business activity was 50.1, up 0.6 from the previous month and higher than the expected 49.9, returning above 50 again after two months. The sub - items of non - manufacturing PMI showed mixed trends. The new orders and domestic demand sub - items decreased against the season, indicating that the non - manufacturing industry is still in the bottom - building process. Some sub - items are at the lowest or second - lowest levels in the same period over the years. The construction industry PMI shows a downward trend, but the sales price sub - item has bottomed out, suggesting that the housing price may be stabilizing, but the sustainability needs to be observed [29][32].

Group 1: PMI Overview - In March, the manufacturing PMI recorded 50.4%, up 1.25 percentage points from the average of January-February[2] - The services PMI reached 50.2%, increasing by 0.6 percentage points compared to the January-February average[2] - The construction PMI rose to 49.3%, up 0.8 percentage points from the January-February average[2] Group 2: Demand and Supply Dynamics - Manufacturing PMI returned above the threshold, indicating improved supply and demand post-Spring Festival[5] - New orders and new export orders indices increased to 51.6% and 49.1%, respectively, both up by 2.7 percentage points from January-February[5] - Manufacturing production index rose to 51.4%, up 1.3 percentage points from January-February[5] Group 3: Price Trends - Raw material purchase prices index and factory prices index reached 63.9% and 55.4%, respectively, both hitting new highs for 2023[5] - Raw material prices saw a significant increase, with the monthly rise being the second highest since 2005[5] Group 4: Sector-Specific Insights - The construction sector showed signs of recovery, with the business activity index for March at 49.3%, indicating a rise in infrastructure investment activities[5] - The services sector's business activity index was 50.2%, with certain industries like telecommunications and finance showing strong growth, while retail and hospitality lagged[5] Group 5: Risks and Outlook - Risks include slower-than-expected domestic demand recovery, changes in domestic policies, and fluctuations in the international trade environment[3]

Economic Indicators - The manufacturing PMI for March is 50.4%, an increase of 1.4 percentage points from February, indicating a return to the expansion zone[1] - The equipment manufacturing PMI is 51.5%, up 1.7 percentage points, while the basic raw materials PMI is 48.9%, up 1.1 percentage points[1] - The consumer goods PMI reached 50.8%, a rise of 2.0 percentage points, marking the highest value since 2025[1] Demand and Supply Dynamics - The new orders index for March is 51.6%, increasing by 3.0 percentage points, while the new export orders index rose by 4.1 percentage points to 49.1%[5] - The production index is at 51.4%, up 1.8 percentage points, indicating a positive trend in manufacturing output[5] - The supplier delivery time index is at 49.5%, showing a slight increase of 0.4 percentage points, reflecting improved supply chain conditions[5] Cost Pressures - The main raw materials purchase price index is at 63.9%, a significant rise of 9.1 percentage points, indicating increased cost pressures[8] - The manufacturing output price index is above the neutral line at 55.4%, with a month-on-month increase of 4.8 percentage points[8] - Geopolitical factors, particularly in the Middle East, have led to significant increases in the prices of oil and chemical raw materials, contributing to higher logistics costs[8] Sector Performance - In March, the black metal, petroleum refining, and chemical industries all reported purchase price indices above 70.0%, indicating heightened cost pressures due to geopolitical factors[2] - Despite the cost pressures, these industries saw a notable increase in order volumes, suggesting a potential "panic buying" effect that may alleviate some cost burdens on midstream manufacturing[2]

Report Title - China PMI Observation Report, March 6, 2026: Bright Domestic Demand in the Off - season - February China PMI Observation [1] 1. Report Industry Investment Rating - Not provided 2. Core Viewpoints - In February 2026, both manufacturing and non - manufacturing PMIs were below 50, showing economic weakness. However, domestic demand in both sectors was a highlight. The domestic demand in the manufacturing sector reached the highest level since April 2025 and the second - highest in the same period in history, and in the non - manufacturing sector, it reached the highest level since May 2025. With the arrival of the peak season in March, economic data is expected to improve [4][6][30] 3. Summary by Directory 3.1 China Manufacturing and Non - manufacturing PMI Data Table Review - **Manufacturing PMI**: In February 2026, it was 49, down 0.3 from the previous month and lower than the market expectation of 49.2. Most sub - items decreased, such as the finished - product inventory sub - item (down 2.8 to 45.8), new export orders (down 2.8 to 45), etc. Only the production - operation expectation, raw - material inventory, and domestic demand sub - items increased [3][4] - **Non - manufacturing PMI**: In February 2026, the business activity index was 49.5, up 0.1 from the previous month but lower than the expected 49.7. Most sub - items declined, while the input price, inventory, business activity, and domestic demand sub - items increased [3][30] 3.2 February Manufacturing PMI Reflects Economic Weakness - **Overall Situation**: The manufacturing PMI has been below 50 for two consecutive months. Most sub - items decreased, with only three sub - items increasing. Domestic demand was at a historically high level, which was the biggest highlight in the February data during the manufacturing off - season [4][6] - **Seasonality**: Manufacturing PMI, production, finished - product inventory, new orders, and new export orders were at the lowest levels in history (except 2020), while domestic demand was at the highest in the same period in history (except 2019) [6] - **Enterprise and Industry Differences**: Small and medium - sized enterprise PMIs declined, especially small enterprises, which were at the worst level since 2023. Large enterprise PMI increased, reaching the second - highest since November 2024. Among industries, the consumer goods industry recovered in February, while high - tech manufacturing, equipment manufacturing, and basic raw material industries declined [6] - **Outlook**: Due to the late Spring Festival in 2026, the decline in January and February data was affected by seasonality. Starting from March, the peak season will come, and data is expected to improve [7] 3.3 February Non - manufacturing PMI: Domestic Demand is also a Bright Spot - **Overall Situation**: The non - manufacturing PMI business activity was below 50 for two consecutive months. Most sub - items decreased, and the domestic demand sub - item increased, reaching the highest level since May 2025, going against the off - season trend [30] - **Seasonality**: In February, sub - items such as business activity, new orders, export orders, and construction and service industry PMIs were at the lowest levels in the same period in history (except 2020) [30][32] - **Construction Industry**: The construction industry PMI continued to decline, but the selling - price sub - item had bottomed out, indicating that housing prices may be stabilizing, but the sustainability needs to be observed [32]

Group 1: Manufacturing Sector Insights - Manufacturing PMI in February was 49%, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from January, primarily affected by the production side and seasonal factors[5] - New export orders PMI fell to 45%, the lowest level since April 2025, indicating significant weakness in overseas demand compared to domestic demand[9] - The decline in new export orders is attributed to a combination of extended Chinese New Year holidays and reduced effective working days, impacting production schedules[9] Group 2: Infrastructure and Non-Manufacturing Sector - Non-manufacturing sector showed a slight recovery with a service sector PMI of 49.7%, up 0.2 percentage points from January, driven by increased consumer spending during the holiday[14] - Construction PMI dropped to 48.2%, but the business activity expectation index rose to 50.9%, indicating optimism for post-holiday infrastructure activities[14] - The civil engineering sector's business activity expectation index exceeded 54%, reflecting a positive outlook for infrastructure investment[14] Group 3: Geopolitical and Economic Factors - Ongoing geopolitical tensions are expected to favor resource commodities over technology sectors, with inflation expectations rising and market predictions for U.S. interest rate cuts being delayed[16] - The market's expectation for U.S. rate cuts shifted from June and September to July and December, indicating tightening liquidity conditions[16] - Risk factors include slow consumer confidence recovery, policy implementation falling short of expectations, and potential escalation of trade tensions[20]

Manufacturing Sector - In February 2026, China's manufacturing PMI was 49.0%, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from January[2] - The production index within the manufacturing PMI dropped by 1 percentage point to 49.6%, primarily due to the extended Spring Festival holiday[3] - New export orders index fell significantly to 45.0%, down 2.8 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a sharper decline than the historical average of 0.4 percentage points during Spring Festival months[3] Non-Manufacturing Sector - The non-manufacturing business activity index rose to 49.5%, an increase of 0.1 percentage points from January, with the services PMI at 49.7%, up 0.2 percentage points[2] - The construction PMI decreased to 48.2%, down 0.6 percentage points, marking the lowest level in nearly six years due to the holiday and ongoing real estate market adjustments[6] Economic Policies and Market Impact - Recent structural policies from the central bank and finance ministry aimed at supporting small and medium enterprises have had a positive impact on market confidence, contributing to a milder decline in the manufacturing PMI[4] - The prices of raw materials saw a decrease of 1.3 percentage points to 54.8%, while the factory price index remained stable at 50.6%, indicating ongoing industrial price pressures[4] Future Outlook - The manufacturing PMI is expected to rebound in March, with projections ranging between 49.8% and 50.2%, influenced by historical trends following the Spring Festival[6] - Key factors affecting future PMI trends include U.S. tariffs on global trade, the real estate market's performance, and the timing and intensity of growth-stabilizing policies[6]

Economic Indicators - In January 2026, China's manufacturing PMI was 49.3%, down 0.8 percentage points from December 2025, indicating a contraction[1] - The non-manufacturing business activity index was 49.4%, also down 0.8 percentage points from the previous month[1] - The comprehensive PMI output index fell to 49.8%, a decrease of 0.9 percentage points from December 2025[1] Contributing Factors - Seasonal factors contributed to the decline, as January is typically a slow month for manufacturing, with an average drop of 0.3 percentage points over the past decade[2] - The base effect from a significant increase in December 2025's PMI (up 0.9 percentage points to 50.1%) also pressured January's figures[2] - Weak domestic investment and consumption demand, alongside high external uncertainties, particularly in the real estate market, negatively impacted manufacturing[2] Specific Index Movements - The new orders index for manufacturing fell 1.6 percentage points to 49.2%, the primary driver of the PMI decline[2] - The manufacturing new export orders index decreased by 1.2 percentage points, indicating potential export slowdown due to external uncertainties[2] - The production index in manufacturing dropped 1 percentage point to 50.6%, but remained in the expansion zone, supported by global AI investment trends[3] Sector Performance - High-tech manufacturing and equipment manufacturing PMIs were 52% and 50.1%, respectively, remaining in expansion territory due to strong exports and domestic equipment upgrades[5] - Consumer goods and basic materials PMIs fell to 48.3% and 47.9%, respectively, primarily due to slowing market demand[5] - The construction PMI dropped significantly by 4 percentage points to 48.8%, influenced by seasonal factors and ongoing adjustments in the real estate market[6] Future Outlook - The overall economic sentiment is expected to decline further in February due to the upcoming Spring Festival and increased holiday downtime[6] - Future manufacturing sentiment will largely depend on export growth, real estate market trends, and the timing and intensity of growth-stimulating policies[6] - There is potential for monetary policy easing in the second quarter, with fiscal policies expected to strengthen consumption and investment[6]