BEIJING, Oct 1 (Reuters) - China's factory activity expanded at a slower pace in September, a private-sector survey showed on Sunday, with sluggish external demand weighing on the outlook even as output increased.
The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 50.6 in September from 51.0 in the previous month, missing analysts' forecasts of 51.2.
According to the Caixin PMI, factory output and new orders remained in expansionary territory in September, however, external demand remained weak with export orders index contracting for the third month.
Producers of consumer, investment and intermediate goods all cut staff, the survey showed.
A separate PMI released by Caixin/S&P Global on Sunday showed China's services activity expanded at the slowest pace this year in September.
Persons:
Wang Zhe, Wang, Liangping Gao, Ryan Woo, Sam Holmes
Organizations:
P Global, PMI, Caixin Insight Group . Factory, Producers, Global, Thomson
Locations:
BEIJING, China