Growth in China's factory output eased in October while that for retail sales edged up and investment inched lower, indicating persistent downward pressures on the economy that may require further policy support.
Factory output grew slower than expected at an annual 5.6% in October, National Bureau of Statistics data showed today.
This missed a Reuters forecast of 5.8% and was down from 5.7% in September.
Fixed asset investment rose 10.2% in the first 10 months, slightly slowing from a 10.3% gain in the months from January to September.
Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a 10.2% rise.
Retail sales growth continued to pick up, expanding by 11% in October, compared with 10.9% in September. Analysts had forecast growth of 10.9% in October.
Today's mixed activity data came on the heels of muted inflation and disappointing trade figures.
Data published yesterday showed consumer inflation moderated more than expected in October, while producer prices extended their decline to a 44th month in a row.
October trade figures widely missed forecasts, with exports falling 6.9% and imports tumbling 18.8%.
The effects of China's slowdown have also spilled over to the country's once-resilient retail industry.
E-commerce giant Alibaba reported the lowest growth rate in transaction volume in three years in October, citing lukewarm consumption in the country.
Against the backdrop of tepid investment and factory overcapacity, a vice finance minister said the country is confident of achieving economic growth of around 7% this year, which would be the slowest pace of expansion in a quarter of century.
