Analysts at Rabobank point out that Chinese real GDP growth (6.4 percent y/y) continued its decline in the fourth quarter of 2018 and as a result, full year economic growth for 2018 came in at 6.6%, the lowest growth in 28 years.
Key Quotes
“The domestic slowdown is becoming increasingly visible and targeted stimulus campaigns by the government and central bank have to compensate the cooling economy.”
“We expect the Chinese economy to cool down further in 2019 leading to 6.3% GDP growth. (Trade) tensions with the US set to continue and constitute the biggest external risk for the Chinese economy.”