China's economic expansion to continue throughout 2011: The Conference Board

China's Leading Economic Index (LEI) increased (19-Jul-2011) 0.5% in May-2011 to 155.0 (2004 = 100), following a 0.1% increase in Apr-2011 and a 0.9% increase in Mar-2011, according to The Conference Board. Four of the six components contributed positively to the index in May-2011. China's Coincident Economic Index (CEI), which measures current economic activity, increased 0.5% in May-2011 to 202.8 (2004 = 100), following 1.3% increases in both April and March. Four of the five components contributed positively to the index in the month, The Conference Board said. [more]

The Conference Board: "The modestly rising trend of the China LEI since the beginning of 2011 continues to point to economic expansion for the rest of the year. In May, weakness in consumer expectations was offset by credit expansion and slightly improving manufacturing activity. However, consumer prices continue to rise rapidly, and growth in retail sales has moderated somewhat compared to last year, suggesting that consumption growth may be weakening as one of the contributors to output growth," Jing Sima, economist. Source: Company Statement, 19-Jul-2011.