China’s consumer inflation reached a five-month low in November, rising just 0.2% from a year ago, below expectations of 0.5%.

Core inflation, excluding volatile food and fuel prices, increased slightly to 0.3%.

Pork and fresh vegetable prices rose by 13.7% and 10%, respectively.

Meanwhile, the producer price index (PPI) continued to decline for the 26th month, falling by 2.5%, slightly better than the expected 2.8% drop.

Despite Beijing’s stimulus efforts, including interest rate cuts and support for markets, deflation remains entrenched due to weak domestic demand and excess inventories.

Analysts predict that deflation will persist in China, with the PPI likely staying negative into 2025, CNBC has reported.

While other sectors, like retail sales and manufacturing, show signs of recovery, Fitch downgraded China’s 2025 GDP growth forecast to 4.3%.

Written by B.C. Begley