By Gina Lee

Investing.com – China’s in November as inflationary pressures and small COVID-19 outbreaks continue, a private survey showed on Friday.

This was 5.2.1 which is lower than both the forecasts of 52.6 by Investing.com as well as the reported 53.8 number for the preceding month. It remained above 50 points, which indicates growth.

Caixin surveys are more focused on smaller firms located in coastal areas. This follows earlier data releases by the National Bureau of Statistics in the week which showed that it was at 52.3.

The NBS data also said the was at 50.1, and Wednesday’s was at 49.9.

Services sector is slower than manufacturing to heal from COVID-19, because it is more vulnerable and subject to COVID-19-related restrictive measures. Even though they are not large, ongoing COVID-19 epidemics have clouded the future prospects for a rebound in consumer consumption. China continues to have a zero tolerance policy towards the virus, which has hampered China’s tourism and leisure industries.

Input prices increased for the 17th consecutive month by companies, at their fastest rate since May 2020 due to increasing labor costs and rising raw materials. Although prices rose at a slower rate, they also increased.

Policymakers need to continue to support small and medium-sized enterprises. Wang Zhe from Caixin’s Insight Group said that policymakers should be aware of problems such as deteriorating job opportunities, weak household income growth, or low consumer purchasing power.

“Enterprises still face high costs pressures. Inflation should be taken seriously by policymakers.