While China's Q1 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by an impressive 6.1% YOY, it was the lowest in 10 years at RMB 6.57 trillion (USD 939 bln), the result of the global financial crisis.

China's March Consumer Price Index (CPI), a major gauge of inflation, fell 1.2% YOY, although this was less than the 1.6% recorded in February. The previous decline was in 2002.

China's Q1 Producer Price Index (PPI), a key measure of inflation at the wholesale level, fell 4.6% YOY

China's Q1 Industrial Output which measures activity in the nation's factories and workshops, grew 5.1% YOY. Q1 output of heavy industry grew 4.5% and light industry grew by 6.8%.

China's Q1 Retail Sales grew 15% to RMB 2.94 trillion (USD 430.4 bln).

China's Q1 Fixed Asset Investment rose 28.8% YOY to RMB 2.81 trillion (USD 411.4 bln). The growth rate was 4.2% higher than the previous year according to the Natioal Bureau of Statistics spokesperson Li Xiaochao.

Source: Xinhua News
Date: 16 April 2009

Economic data for Q1 2009 gleaned from Premier Wen Jiabao a "better than expected" comment that the economic stimulus measures are working. In summary, Q1 GDP grew by 6.1% YOY even though this was the lowest growth in 10 years, Producer Price Index (PPI), a major measure of inflation at the wholesale level fell 4.6%, the March CPI fell 1.2%, Q1 Industrial output rose 5.1% YOY, Q1 Retail sales up 15% YOY and Q1 fixed asset investment rose 28.8% YOY to RMB 2.81 trillion (USD 41.1 bln).

However equity markets remained flat with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index at 2,534.13 down 0.08% or 1.92 points and the Shenzhen Component Index at 9,711.36 down 0.14% or 13.23 points. Combined turnover increased to RMB 270.24 bln, up from 268.93 bln the previous trading day.

Finance and Insurance were mixed Industrial and Commercial Bank (601398) down 0.24% to RMB 4.11, China Construction Bank (601939) down 0.22% to RMB 4.51, Bank of China (601988) up 0.56% to RMB 3.56, Bank of Communications (601328) down 0.29% to RMB 6.92, China Merchants Bank (600036) up 0.93% to RMB 16.27 and China CITIC Bank (601998) up 2.46% to RMB 5.00.

Ping An Insurance (601318) down 0.71% to RMB 42.18, China Life Insurance (601628) down 1.08% to RMB 24.63, CITIC Securities (600030) down 1.64% to RMB 26.41 and Haitong Securities (600837) unch at RMB 13.85.

Real Estate remain weak China Vanke (000002) down 1.51% to RMB 8.46, Poly Real Estate (600048) down 1.21% to RMB 22.87, Gemdale Corporation (600383) down 2.70% to RMB 11.53, Huafa Industrial (600325) down 3.47% to RMB 16.95 but Beijing North Star (601588) up 2.83% to RMB 4.72.

Resources and Energy PetroChina (601857) down 0.67% to RMB 11.81, China Petroleum & Chemical (600028) down 1.13% to RMB 9.66, China Shenhua Energy (601088) down 3.11% to RMB 24.63, Zijin Mining (601899) up 1.03% to RMB 10.79, Aluminum Corporation of China (601600) up 0.53% to RMB 11.40 and China Coal Energy (601898) down 3.65% to RMB 10.81.

Metals and Materials Baoshan Iron & Steel (600019) up 1.83% to RMB 6.12, Jiangxi Copper (600362) down 0.67% to RMB 26.61, Anhui Conch Cement (600585) up 0.03% to RMB 38.23, Wuhan Iron & Steel (600005) down 0.39% to RMB 7.64 and Maanshan Iron & Steel (600808) up 1.19% to RMB 4.24.

MY01/VW/YS
16 April 2009

Markets stayed in negative territory for most of the day before finishing slightly stronger led by Resources and Information Technology sectors. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closed at 2,536.06 up 0.35% or 8.88 points and the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 9,724.58 up 0.48% or 46.4 points. Combined turnover increased to RMB 268.93 bln, up from 252.32 bln the previous trading day.

Finance and Insurance were mixed Industrial and Commercial Bank (601398) down 0.48% to RMB 4.12, China Construction Bank (601939) down 0.88% to RMB 4.52, Bank of China (601988) down 0.56% to RMB 3.54, Bank of Communications (601328) up 0.29% to RMB 6.94 and China Merchants Bank (600036) down 1.35% to RMB 16.12.

Ping An Insurance (601318) down 0.42% to RMB 42.48 and China Life Insurance (601628) down 1.93% to RMB 24.90.

Real Estate was down China Vanke (000002) down 1.94% to RMB 8.59, Poly Real Estate (600048) down 1.49% to RMB 23.15, Gemdale Corporation (600383) up 0.59% to RMB 11.85, Beijing North Star (601588) down 1.08% to RMB 4.59 and Huafa Industrial (600325) up 0.11% to RMB 17.56.

Information Technology was up China United Telecommunications (600050) up 2.82% to RMB 5.83 and Neusoft Corporation (600718) up the maximum daily limit of 10% to RMB 20.69.

Resources and Energy PetroChina (601857) unch at RMB 11.89, China Petroleum & Chemical (600028) up 1.98% to RMB 9.77, China Shenhua Energy (601088) up 0.63% to RMB 25.42, Zijin Mining (601899) down 0.65% to RMB 10.68, Aluminum Corporation of China (601600) up 0.44% to RMB 11.34, China Coal Energy (601898) up 0.18% to RMB 11.22, Yanzhou Coal Mining (600188) up 4.80% to RMB 16.59 and China Oilfield Services (601808) up 0.71% to RMB 15.55.

Metals and Materials Baoshan Iron & Steel (600019) up 0.50% to RMB 6.01, Jiangxi Copper (600362) up 1.06% to RMB 26.79, Anhui Conch Cement (600585) up 1.65^ to RMB 38.22, Wuhan Iron & Steel (600005) up 4.48% to RMB 7.67 and Maanshan Iron & Steel (600808) up 1.45% to RMB 4.19.

MY01/VW/YS
15 April 2009

China Minmetals Non-Ferrous Metals has finalised a Sale Implementation Agreement with Oz Minerals with a proposed USD 1,026 mln transaction. Minmetals will end up owning the key mining properties of Sepon, Golden Grove, Century, Rosebery, Avebury, Dugald River, High Lake, Izok Lake, certain other exploration and development assets. Assets specifically excluded are Prominent Hill and Martabe.

The completion is conditional upon approvals being obtained from the NDRC and various other regulatory bodies in China and Australia including financing from Minmetals bankers. Expected date for Completion is mid to late June 2009.

Source: Oz Minerals ASX Announcement
Date: 14 April 2009