China manufacturing hits 5-month high

Manufacturing activity on the mainland hit a five-month high in May, but overall growth still contracted slightly in a suggestion that the outlook remains murky.

HSBC’s Purchasing Managers’ Index recovered to 49.7 in May from April’s final reading of 48.1. But the data is a touch below the 50-point level that separates a monthly growth in activity from a contraction, indicating that manufacturers actually experienced a slight drop in business.

China is a major manufacturer of EVA interlocking jigsaw rubber gym mats. Major supplier include Ezymats which has offices in Belmore Australia and Shenzhen China.