16:05 - 17.08.2026

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August 17, Fineko/abc.az. China’s industrial production expanded by 4.5% year-on-year in July, slowing for the first time in three months, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics. The figure missed the 5% median estimate in a Bloomberg survey. Retail sales growth cooled to 0.6%, well below the expected 1,5% increase.

Fixed-asset investment fell 6.7% in the first seven months of the year compared to a year earlier, deepening from a 5.7% decline in the first half and exceeding projections for a 6.2% drop. The urban unemployment rate edged up to 5.2% from 5% in June.

The National Bureau of Statistics stated that while the economy maintained a "stable" trajectory this year, the external environment remains "complex and volatile," and domestic demand remains weak. It noted that some businesses face operational headwinds, necessitating further reinforcement of economic foundations.

Weak domestic demand and disruptions from extreme weather have further dragged down an economy already constrained by fiscal austerity. Despite robust export performance, second-quarter growth slipped below the government's annual target of 4.5%–5%. Bloomberg Economics estimates that growth momentum weakened further in early August.

Severe rainfall and storms last month caused temporary factory and port closures, power outages, and the evacuation of tens of thousands of people. Policymakers are closely monitoring data to assess whether additional economic stimulus is required to hit growth targets.

Passenger car sales dropped 21% in July. Automobile manufacturers continue to experience margin compression amid intense price competition, high raw material costs, and persistent discounting practices.