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BEIJING, Sept 30 (Reuters) – China’s services activity expanded at its fastest pace in three months in September, as stronger new orders, including from overseas, lifted output, a private-sector survey showed on Wednesday.
The RatingDog China General Services PMI rose to 51.6 in September from 51.4 in August, staying above the 50-mark that separates growth from contraction.
- New business grew at its quickest rate since June, supported by improving demand and companies’ efforts to expand their client base, while new export orders rose at a faster clip than the previous month.
- Employment rose for a fifth consecutive month as firms took on more staff to cope with heavier workloads, though the rate of hiring eased to a four-month low.
- Input costs rose at a slower pace than in August, while output prices declined for the first time in four months, the sharpest drop since April 2022.
- Business confidence strengthened from the previous month, with companies pointing to hopes of firmer market conditions, expansion plans and new project wins.
- The RatingDog China General Composite PMI, covering manufacturing and services, rose to 52.4 from 52.1 in August.
Reporting by Liangping Gao and Ryan Woo; Editing by Jacqueline Wong
