Changjiang Business School reported that the August China Business Conditions Index (BCI) stood at 48.3, down from 50.1 in July, according to Jiemian News. The BCI is the arithmetic average of four sub-indices, and this month shows one uptick and three declines.

Sub-index movements: the forward-looking sales index rose to 60.3 from 60.0, while the profit outlook index declined to 42.1 from 45.7; the financing conditions index eased to 43.6 from 44.3; and the inventory outlook index slipped to 47.2 from 50.3.

On costs and prices, the forward-looking labor cost index dipped to 69.8 from 70.4; the total cost outlook index rose to 70.9 from 70.4; and the consumer goods price outlook index fell to 43.9 from 46.6.