Stronger-than-expected Chinese industrial output in September confirms that global production rebounded solidly last month, casting doubt on recent growth pessimism based partly on weak August data.

Chinese output rose by a seasonally-adjusted* 1.7% on the month after a 0.5% loss in August. Six-month growth was 4.2%, or 8.5% annualised – the second highest reading over the last eight months (after July).

Monetary trends suggest continued moderate economic expansion. Real M2 seems to outperform M1 as a leading indicator in China; its six-month growth is in line with the average over the last five years – see first chart. Real bank loan expansion also remains stable at a respectable level, although the wider “total social financing” credit measure has been slowing gradually, in line with official objectives – second chart.

Three countries in the G7 plus emerging E7 group have now reported industrial output for September: China, the US and Russia – see also Friday’s post. On conservative assumptions about developments elsewhere**, six-month industrial output growth for the group is estimated to have returned to its level in June. The leading indicators tracked here suggest that growth will continue to firm into early 2015 – third chart.

*Based on World Bank seasonal adjustments.
**Japanese output is assumed to rise by 3.0% in September versus a 6.0% increase suggested by a METI survey of manufacturers. Eurozone output is assumed to recover by 1.0% after a 1.8% August decline as car production rebounds from holiday-affected weakness – see Friday’s post. Output is assumed unchanged in all other countries.