China manufacturing index jumps to 18-month high: HSBC

BEIJING, July 24 (AFP): A key measure of Chinese manufacturing activity hit an 18-month high in July, HSBC said Thursday, in a further sign the world's second-largest economy is gaining momentum on the back of Beijing's mini-stimulus.
The HSBC preliminary purchasing managers index (PMI), which tracks activity in China's factories and workshops, leapt to 52.0 this month, its highest since January 2013, according to the British banking giant.
It was a substantial improvement from the final PMI for June of 50.7, which marked the first time since December the index had climbed above the 50-point break-even level suggesting the sector is expanding.
The indicator is a closely watched gauge of the health of the Asian economic powerhouse and key driver of global growth.
"Economic activity continues to improve in July, suggesting that the cumulative impact of mini-stimulus measures introduced earlier is still filtering through," HSBC economist Qu Hongbin said in a statement accompanying the data.
Total new orders increased at quickest rate in 18 months, while the output sub-index reached a 16-month high, said the statement.
The figures are compiled by financial information services provider Markit and released by HSBC.
Chinese economic growth accelerated to a forecast-beating 7.5 per cent in the second quarter, up from 7.4 per cent in the previous three months, which was the worst since a similar 7.4 per cent expansion July-September 2012.