China’s January Factory Activity Seen Stalling as Virus Adds to Risks: Reuters Poll

China’s January Factory Activity Seen Stalling as Virus Adds to Risks: Reuters Poll
An employee measures a newly manufactured ball mill machine at a factory in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China, on June 28, 2019. Stringer/Reuters
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SINGAPORE—Growth in China’s sprawling manufacturing sector likely stalled in January after two months of modest gains, with an outbreak of a new virus adding to risks facing the already struggling economy, a Reuters poll showed.

The coronavirus outbreak prompted widespread transport curbs and tough public health measures that are weighing heavily on the travel, tourism and retail sectors.