Article written by Prieur du Plessis, editor of the Investment Postcards from Cape Town blog.
Markit released the Flash HSBC China Manufacturing PMI for February based on 85% to 90% of responses this morning. The flash estimate came in at 51.5 compared to the final 54.5 in January as a result of a combination of seasonal factors as well as quantitative tightening. Wow, what a drop! That will surely be negative for equity markets and especially the Shanghai Composite Index? No, not necessarily. The manufacturing PMI reading per the official CFLP survey in January dropped from 53.9 in December to 52.9. Conversely, the HSBC survey’s January PMI picked up to 54.5 compared to December’s 54.4. According to the CFLP survey the drop in January was in line with the apparent seasonal trend in the past.
Sources: CFLP; Plexus Asset Management.
What do I expect for February’s CFLP manufacturing PMI? In previous articles I argued that the seasonal trend in January and February pointed to weakness, especially if the Chinese New Year and Golden Week fell in the early part of February. The timing of this year’s Golden Week was reminiscent of that of 2008. In 2008 the PMI in February picked up slightly from January’s but I suspect the number for February this year is likely to be unchanged to somewhat lower but not the significant drop as reported by the HSBC survey. My view that March could see a significant rebound continues to hold.
Sources: CFLP; Plexus Asset Management.
It is apparent to me that the markets do not really focus on the HSBC PMI survey but rather on the official CFLP survey. The Chinese equity market as measured by the Shanghai Composite Index is an excellent anticipator of the CFLP manufacturing PMI and leads the PMI by one month. It is telling me that the manufacturing PMI in February will come in unchanged or slightly improved. The surge in Chinese equities since the end of the Golden Week indicates to me that the market shares my optimism regarding the seasonal strength of the PMI in March.
Sources: I-Net; CFLP; Plexus Asset Management.
The bond market seems to share the optimism regarding the CFLP PMI in March and is looking through the current period of seasonal weakness.
Sources: I-Net; CFLP; Plexus Asset Management.
Is the Baltic Dry Index trying to tell us that China’s economy is stronger than generally thought?
Source: I-Net.
I guess so. It is no wonder the PBoC has again raised the reserve requirements of banks.
Are we therefore seeing a seasonal low in emerging-market equities? It is extremely difficult to anticipate the unfolding of the protest action in North Africa and the Middle East, though.
Emerging market equities: China to lead the way? was first posted on February 21, 2011 at 9:50 am.
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