China’s non-manufacturing sector maintains growth momentum in January

China's non-manufacturing sector maintained its growth momentum in January, with the Business Activity Index, which reflects the sector's overall performance, remaining above the 50-percent threshold.

However, the index stood at 50.2 percent, down 2 percentage points from December, signaling moderate growth.

By industry, sectors such as housing construction and infrastructure experienced a seasonal slowdown ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, leading to a dip in supply and demand.

Despite this, construction companies remain optimistic about future market prospects, with the Business Activity Expectation Index staying above 56 percent.

After the Spring Festival, construction-related activities are expected to rebound as enterprises accelerate the resumption of operations.

In the service sector, the Chinese New Year boosted market activity, pushing the Business Activity Index for related industries back into expansion territory.

"Industries like catering, accommodation and retail performed well, while financial services remained vibrant, laying a solid foundation for future economic recovery," said Cai Jin, president of the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP).

Additionally, sectors such as air transportation, postal services, telecommunications and satellite transmission services maintained robust growth in January, with their Business Activity Index staying above 55 percent, reflecting sustained strong demand and rapid business expansion.

The purchasing managers' index for China's manufacturing sector came in at 49.1 in January, down from 50.1 in December, the CFLP, together with the National Bureau of Statistics' Service Survey Center announced on Monday.

China’s non-manufacturing sector maintains growth momentum in January

China’s non-manufacturing sector maintains growth momentum in January

China’s non-manufacturing sector maintains growth momentum in January

China’s non-manufacturing sector maintains growth momentum in January

The U.S. dollar strengthened in late trading on Thursday.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, went up 0.28 percent to 99.893 at 15:00 (1900 GMT).

In late New York trading, the euro fell to 1.1532 dollars from 1.1578 dollars in the previous session, and the British pound was down to 1.3327 dollars from 1.3382 dollars in the previous session.

The U.S. dollar bought 159.73 Japanese yen, higher than 159.28 Japanese yen in the previous session. The U.S. dollar was up to 0.7949 Swiss francs from 0.7910 Swiss francs, and it added to 1.3847 Canadian dollars from 1.3808 Canadian dollars.

The U.S. dollar rose to 9.4392 Swedish Kronor from 9.3320 Swedish Kronor.

U.S. dollar ticks up