Dr. Copper gives troubling prognosis for China's economy

Price of metal has flattened out despite some stronger Chinese data

20190704 CHINA COPPER
AKIO OKAMORI and ISSAKU HARADA, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO/BEIJING -- While recent economic data has brought a ray of hope into the otherwise gloomy Chinese economy, one closely followed indicator is tempering expectations of a vigorous rebound in the world's second-largest economy.

China's manufacturing sector unexpectedly rebounded in March, according to the government's purchasing managers index (PMI), but copper prices, often viewed as an early indicator of China's economic health, are struggling to perk up.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.