China's factory activity growth slows in October as export orders ease

China's factory activity expanded at a marginally slower pace in October, according to a private survey, as growth in export orders eased to a three-month low. The S&P Global manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) edged down to 52.0 in October from 52.1 in September. This contrasts with China's official PMI, which unexpectedly showed a fall in factory activity. Output, however, rose at its fastest rate in six months.