- On March 31, the National Bureau of Statistics released the March PMI figures, showing a manufacturing PMI of 50.4% and a non-manufacturing PMI of 50.1%.
- The significant rebound in March’s PMI is attributed to the fading impact of the Spring Festival and accelerated demand recovery, with new orders index increasing notably.
- Despite this recovery, concerns remain regarding the potential negative impact of rising oil prices on manufacturing profitability.
- The A-share market saw a mixed performance, with increases in semiconductor and CPO stocks, while gold prices surged due to geopolitical tensions and a declining dollar.
- The Hang Seng Index rose by over 1%, reaching a new high since 2021, driven by gains in tech stocks and strong performances in the gold and colored metals sectors.
- Corning's significant contract with Meta for fiber cables supports the growth of AI data centers and reflects ongoing demand from major tech companies.