China’s Economy Shows Signs of Strength as Trade War Begins

China’s consumption and industrial production grew faster in January-February, an upswing that exceeded forecasts, according to data released Monday. At the same time, new-home prices fell more quickly, worsening for the first time in six months despite efforts to prop up the market.

With markets primed for more stimulus announcements, a much-anticipated briefing by economic regulators offered little in the way of clues for further steps. The central bank is studying new policy tools to help drive consumption and announced a plan to promote the application of artificial intelligence in finance. But authorities again fell short of the delivering the big bazooka investors had been seeking for months, leaving stocks mostly treading water after a 2.4% jump on Friday.