Economics

China’s Economy Was Brightening This Month Before Virus Fear Hit

  • Early indicators for China show December’s recovery continuing
  • If virus outbreak expands, it could damage consumption

Pedestrians wearing protective masks stand in front of a department store ahead of the Lunar New Year in Shanghai on Jan. 23.

Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

The latest available indicators of China’s economy signal improving conditions in January, though that recovery is at risk from the fallout from the worsening Wuhan pneumonia outbreak.

The eight indicators tracked by Bloomberg show signs of improvement in trade, prices and companies, building on the stabilization in overall growth seen last quarter.