China’s GDP Beats Expectations Amid Intensifying Global Headwinds
ING Economic and Financial Analysis·2026-04-16·via All Articles on Seeking Alpha
Summary
China produced a solid first-quarter GDP read, as strong tertiary industry growth and solid industrial activity helped offset still sluggish consumption and investment and a drop in the first-quarter trade surplus.
Higher energy prices could begin to drag on growth in the months ahead.
Value added of industry rose 5.7% YoY in March, down from the 6.3% YoY YTD level in the first two months of the year, but still stronger than market consensus and our slightly more optimistic forecast.
Auto sales remained sluggish, down -11.8% YoY in March and -9.1% YoY YTD in 1Q26.
