China Services Gauge Slows After Boost From New Year Holiday

China’s services activity expanded at a weaker pace in March, a private survey shows, pointing to sluggish consumer demand after a lift from a long national holiday the previous month.

The RatingDog China services purchasing managers’ index fell more than expected to 52.1 from 56.7 in February, according to a statement published Friday. The median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg was 53.6, above the 50 mark separating expansion from contraction.