The true impact of the spread of CoVid-19 is starting to be felt, which China’s PMI data falling off the proverbial cliff last month. February was the first month the virus really started to hit the headlines and take hold, and the first set of data from China for the month gave an insight as to how deep the impact is likely to be.
Massive PMI hit from virus
China’s manufacturing PMI slumped to 35.7 last month, well below analysts’ forecast of a fall to 46.0 and sharply lower from January’s 50.0 print. Needless to say, that was the lowest print on record and the first reading below the 50 contraction/expansion threshold in six months.
In response to the data, China’s National Bureau of Statistics said the index had a “relatively large impact” from the coronavirus outbreak. Transportation, catering, and tourism were among the sectors most affected by the virus, as people avoided public gatherings. New export orders fell to 28.7 from 48.7 while production slumped to 27.8 from 51.3 the previous month.
The Caixin manufacturing PMI for February released this morning was not quite as dire as the official reading. It fell to 40.3, the lowest on record since 2004, versus market expectations of a drop to only 46.0. The output sub-index fell to 28.6 from 52.0 and production, new orders and employment fell at the sharpest pace since records began.
Wall Street indices rebound from opening slump
The fear of a protracted fight against CoVid-19 has heightened fears about global growth, and US equity indices have traded negatively since this morning’s open. US indices fell, with the US30 index dropping as much as 3.2% in limited liquidity, but is now down just 0.49%. The SPX500 is down 0.67% and the NAS100 slid 0.41%.
Other indices are trading positively, the assumption being that the poor numbers can be solely attributed to the virus effect, which is assumed to be a likely temporary phenomenon. China shares lead the way with a 3.2% gain on the day followed closely by the HongKong33 index at +2.0%. The Germany30 index has climbed 0.71% and is facing the first up-day in eight days.
Germany30 Daily Chart
More PMIs on the way
The rest of the world also releases PMI data for February today, but are not expected to crash in the same fashion as China, since the virus spread only accelerated outside China in the second half of the month.
The final readings from Markit are due for Germany, the Euro-zone, the UK and the US. Preliminary readings were 47.8, 49.1, 51.9 and 50.8, respectively, with a growing risk that they could be marked lower. The ISM reading for the US is seen slipping to 50.5 from 50.9.
Aside from the PMI fest, Hong Kong’s retail sales for January are also scheduled, and are unlikely to make pleasant reading. Polled economists expect a contraction of 30.5%, even with the timing of the Lunar New Year in January this year. That would be the worst contraction on record going back to 2012.
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