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China’s Property Slump Is Taking the Whole Economy Down

Global Author
Global Author

Financial Analyst

China’s Property Slump Is Taking the Whole Economy Down

David Scutt, FOREX.com APAC Market Analyst, explains how China’s property downturn is weighing on the broader economy and why policy measures may struggle to reverse it.

Key Takeaways

  • Property investment fell at the fastest rate outside the pandemic period
  • Weak housing activity is spilling into retail sales and manufacturing
  • Recent policy measures may not be enough to restore confidence

China’s Property Downturn and Economic Risks

Scutt outlines how China’s economy is losing momentum, led by a sharp slowdown in the property sector. Fixed asset investment rose just 1.6% in the first seven months of the year, dragged down by a 12% drop in property investment, with sales, construction starts, and home prices all declining. The weakness is spilling into consumption and manufacturing, with retail sales growth slowing to 3.7% and industrial production to 5.7%, alongside falling manufacturing prices.

Scutt notes that policymakers have eased access to consumer finance, allowed retirement savings to be used for home purchases, and tasked state-owned funds to buy properties, but Scutt warns that fragile demand and developer pressures mean growth challenges remain broad-based.

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---- Written by Frederic Guetin, StoneX TV Producer

---- Expert: David Scutt, FOREX.com APAC Market Analyst

 

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