China delays July economic data release to late afternoon slot

China moved the release of its July economic indicators to 3:00 p.m. Beijing time on Monday, shifting the monthly data drop from its usual morning slot into the Asian afternoon. The National Bureau of Statistics adjusted the schedule for the figures and the accompanying press briefing, Bloomberg reported. The new timing means the numbers land at 7:00 a.m. GMT, catching European markets at the open and U.S. traders still in pre-market mode.

The data package covers industrial production, retail sales, fixed-asset investment, and residential property prices. Expectations lean toward a softer set of readings. Producer price inflation slipped to a three-month low of 3.5% in July. Consumer price metrics also pointed to muted domestic demand. Factory output is projected to slow from June levels. Fixed-asset investment continues to struggle with the property sector's extended downturn. Retail sales may offer a modest cushion, supported by Beijing's consumer trade-in incentives, economists said.

A weak data set would reinforce expectations for more monetary easing from the People's Bank of China, traders said. The central bank could cut benchmark interest rates or reduce bank reserve requirements to keep growth targets within reach. The PBOC has already lowered the one-year medium-term lending facility rate twice this year, most recently in July.