Industrial companies made profits of 3.83
trillion yuan between January and August, 10 percent higher than
the same period last year. China's National Bureau of Statistics
did not give a reason for the August decline.
The monthly decline adds to recent weak figures that have fueled
fears that China is at risk of a sharp slowdown if it does not
make fresh stimulus measures.
China's factory output grew at its weakest pace in nearly six
years in August while growth in other key sectors such as retail
sales and imports also cooled.
China's economy has had a difficult time this year as a slowdown
in the housing market weighs on economy activity. This was
further exacerbated by unsteady foreign demand which dragged on
exports, factory output and domestic investment.
(Reporting by Brenda Goh and Samuel Shen; Editing by Nick
Macfie)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|