Manufacturing sector conditions in China improved midway through the third quarter, according to latest PMI® data. Manufacturing production returned to growth on the back of rising new orders. Meanwhile, the rate of contraction in new export business eased from July. As a result of rising inflows of new work, purchasing activity and inventories expanded, while unfinished business increased. Business confidence also rose, but firms remained cautious with regards to staff hiring. Turning to prices, average input costs rose at the fastest pace in nine months. At the same time, selling prices stabilised, which ended an ... (full story)