China factory activity expands for first time in four months

Purchasing Managers' Index rise points to modest recovery in virus-hit economy

Workers assemble car seats at a factory in Shanghai. China's factory activity has been bruised in recent months by virus lockdowns in major cities that slammed the brakes on production. © Reuters

CK TAN, Nikkei staff writer

June 30, 2022 11:19 JST

Updated on June 30, 2022 13:15 JST

SHANGHAI -- China's factory activity in June expanded for the first time in four months, a key manufacturing index showed Thursday, as major economic hubs, including the financial capital Shanghai, emerged from virus lockdowns.

The manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 50.2 this month from a 49.6 reading in May, marking its first expansion since February. The 50-point line separates contraction from expansion.