More protective over virus variant...

Pfizer Covid vaccine is 91% effective in updated data, protective against South African variant

(PUBLISHED THU, APR 1 20216:51 AM EDT)


~ Pfizer and BioNTech said their vaccine is around 91% effective at preventing the disease, citing data that included people inoculated for up to six months.

~ The shot was also 100% effective in preventing illness among trial participants in South Africa, where a new variant is dominant, although the number of those participants was relatively small at 800.


## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/01/pfizer-covid-vaccine-is-91percent-effective-in-updated-data-protective-against-south-african-variant.html

More protective over virus variant...

Pfizer Covid vaccine is 91% effective in updated data, protective against South African variant

(PUBLISHED THU, APR 1 20216:51 AM EDT)


~ Pfizer and BioNTech said their vaccine is around 91% effective at preventing the disease, citing data that included people inoculated for up to six months.

~ The shot was also 100% effective in preventing illness among trial participants in South Africa, where a new variant is dominant, although the number of those participants was relatively small at 800.


## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/01/pfizer-covid-vaccine-is-91percent-effective-in-updated-data-protective-against-south-african-variant.html

More protective over virus variant...

Pfizer Covid vaccine is 91% effective in updated data, protective against South African variant

(PUBLISHED THU, APR 1 20216:51 AM EDT)


~ Pfizer and BioNTech said their vaccine is around 91% effective at preventing the disease, citing data that included people inoculated for up to six months.

~ The shot was also 100% effective in preventing illness among trial participants in South Africa, where a new variant is dominant, although the number of those participants was relatively small at 800.


## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/01/pfizer-covid-vaccine-is-91percent-effective-in-updated-data-protective-against-south-african-variant.html

More protective over virus variant...

Pfizer Covid vaccine is 91% effective in updated data, protective against South African variant

(PUBLISHED THU, APR 1 20216:51 AM EDT)


~ Pfizer and BioNTech said their vaccine is around 91% effective at preventing the disease, citing data that included people inoculated for up to six months.

~ The shot was also 100% effective in preventing illness among trial participants in South Africa, where a new variant is dominant, although the number of those participants was relatively small at 800.


## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/01/pfizer-covid-vaccine-is-91percent-effective-in-updated-data-protective-against-south-african-variant.html

More protective over virus variant...

Pfizer Covid vaccine is 91% effective in updated data, protective against South African variant

(PUBLISHED THU, APR 1 20216:51 AM EDT)


~ Pfizer and BioNTech said their vaccine is around 91% effective at preventing the disease, citing data that included people inoculated for up to six months.

~ The shot was also 100% effective in preventing illness among trial participants in South Africa, where a new variant is dominant, although the number of those participants was relatively small at 800.


## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/01/pfizer-covid-vaccine-is-91percent-effective-in-updated-data-protective-against-south-african-variant.html

More protective over virus variant...

Pfizer Covid vaccine is 91% effective in updated data, protective against South African variant

(PUBLISHED THU, APR 1 20216:51 AM EDT)


~ Pfizer and BioNTech said their vaccine is around 91% effective at preventing the disease, citing data that included people inoculated for up to six months.

~ The shot was also 100% effective in preventing illness among trial participants in South Africa, where a new variant is dominant, although the number of those participants was relatively small at 800.


## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/01/pfizer-covid-vaccine-is-91percent-effective-in-updated-data-protective-against-south-african-variant.html

More protective over virus variant...

Pfizer Covid vaccine is 91% effective in updated data, protective against South African variant

(PUBLISHED THU, APR 1 20216:51 AM EDT)


~ Pfizer and BioNTech said their vaccine is around 91% effective at preventing the disease, citing data that included people inoculated for up to six months.

~ The shot was also 100% effective in preventing illness among trial participants in South Africa, where a new variant is dominant, although the number of those participants was relatively small at 800.


## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/01/pfizer-covid-vaccine-is-91percent-effective-in-updated-data-protective-against-south-african-variant.html

More protective over virus variant...

Pfizer Covid vaccine is 91% effective in updated data, protective against South African variant

(PUBLISHED THU, APR 1 20216:51 AM EDT)


~ Pfizer and BioNTech said their vaccine is around 91% effective at preventing the disease, citing data that included people inoculated for up to six months.

~ The shot was also 100% effective in preventing illness among trial participants in South Africa, where a new variant is dominant, although the number of those participants was relatively small at 800.


## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/01/pfizer-covid-vaccine-is-91percent-effective-in-updated-data-protective-against-south-african-variant.html

Is it real !!!...

## https://www.chinapress.com.my/?p=2456693


Cabinet will consider interstate after 2 doses vaccination with certificate.....

What is happening today !!!...

Seem like market well prepared for ceremony !!!......


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Keyman188 very excited moment around the corner...

Now already enter into Q2'21...

Towards opening theme park ceremony very very near the moment...

"Opening of theme park by mid-2021, raises optimism of Genting group’s prospects"

## https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/opening-theme-park-mid2021-raises-optimism-genting-groups-prospects

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keyman188 not professional or experts......

Keyman188 always like to follow professional bodies to guide the market directions......


Rakuten : TP - 7.00

Kenanga : TP - 5.93


^^^ No matter foreign institutions or local institutions like JP Morgan, Nomura Research, UOB Kay Hian, Maybank Kim Eng, TA Securities also given super duper bright prospects to Genting Group now...


## https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2021/02/26/quick-recovery-for-genting-in-2h-says-kenanga


## https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2021/03/20/raising-the-wager-on-genting



------------------------------CHEERS-----------------------------------

Keyman188 not professional or experts...

Keyman188 always looking the fact to assess investment plan...

Amongst the peers forward PE, the range of peers @ 16 ~ 21 times...

But KPS currently forward PE about 4.8 times (based on current price of 0.960)...

Toyoplas Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

Toyoplas Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Group of Companies (“Toyoplas“) serves the integrated plastics injection moulding industry with clientele from the consumer electronics sector, as well as industrial tools, automotive and other sectors with a value chain spanning over 75 countries. As a one-stop solutions provider, Toyoplas Group’s expertise covers mould fabrication, precision injection moulding and secondary processes as well as assembly via its seven manufacturing plants across Malaysia, China and Indonesia.


## https://kps.com.my/index.php/our-businesses/overview/item/toyoplas-manufacturing-malaysia-sdn-bhd


## http://www.toyoplas.com/usr/page.aspx?pgid=2


## https://www.cpipenang.com/





ATA IMS Bhd

Plastic Injection Moulding

Our plastic injection moulding facilities house a variety of injection machines across a wide range of tonnages. We invest in the best quality machines for optimum speed, energy, efficiency and versatility. Our strong capabilities include single and double colour injection machines, insert moulding and clean room environment suited for medical products.


## http://www.ataims.com.my/usr/pagesub.aspx?pgid=3





SKP Resources Bhd

Injection moulding & cosmetic finishing

"WE DEVELOP OUR OWN MULTI-AXIS"

Since our humble beginnings with only two machines in 1974, SKP now has more than 250 injection moulding machines ranging from from 50 to 2,000 tons to cater to our clients' every requirement. Utilising top industrial names such as Toshiba Machine, Haitian, Nissei P, and Demag, SKP's renowned automation and precision in mould design and fabrication extends to our close-tolerance injection moulding processes which feature double-injection machines, multi-cavity moulds, and even in-mould label moulding.

To further add value to our seamless, one-stop supply chain, SKP provides advanced secondary operations for the perfect cosmetic finish to your plastic components. Widely acclaimed and recognised by our clients, SKP's post-moulding processes feature 10k Class clean room facilities, high-gloss finish coatings, ultrasonic welding, and fully-automated multi-colour tempo printing.

So dedicated are we to the ideal finish of your plastic components that we have developed our own multi-axis, CNC-programmable gantry robots from a team of dedicated in-house robotics engineers that make us a leader in the region.


## https://www.skpres.com/injection.html




VS Industry Bhd


Injection Moulding

The Injection Moulding operation is equipped with the latest robotic pick-up arm and modern plastic injection moulding machineries. The state of art fully robotic moulding operation enables the company to provide top quality products and services to Multinational Companies (MNC). Our Group is committed to continuously upgrading its manufacturing technologies and facilities to position itself competitively in the industry. The Nitrogen Gas Assist Moulding and Overlay Moulding are some of the examples of modern plastic injection technology that you can find in our plants.


## http://www.vs-i.com/facilities/

Keyman188 not professional or experts...

Keyman188 always looking the fact to assess investment plan...

Based on the latest Dec'20 quarterly report...

## https://www.klsescreener.com/v2/stocks/financial-report/5843/2020-12-31

EPF = 5 cents per quarter

Annualised forward EPS = 5 cents x 4 quarteer = 20 cents

Dividend payout policy = 20 cents x 30% = 6 cents

Dividend yield = RM 60 / RM 960 = 6.25%

Toyoplas total contribution about 40% revenue to the group (based on the latest Dec'20 quarterly report)...

Toyoplas main business driven by consumer electronics & industrial tools divisions...

## http://www.toyoplas.com/usr/page.aspx?pgid=2

Keyman188 review the latest performance...

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 The Group surpassed its

"RM1 billion revenue mark for fiscal 2020, growing commendably by 24% to RM1.1 billion, as compared with RM866.8 million it recorded in the corresponding period in 2019. Manufacturing contributed 83%, growing by 37% to RM894.6 million"


"KPS’ manufacturing business, which is represented by Toyoplas Manufacturing (M) Sdn Bhd (“Toyoplas”), Century Bond Bhd (“CBB”), CPI (Penang) Sdn Bhd (“CPI”), and King Koil Manufacturing West LLC (”KKMW”), recorded 14% revenue growth YoY, contributing RM273.2 million, or 86% to the Group’s revenue, as compared to RM239.5 million in the corresponding quarter last year.


With its plants in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, Toyoplas contribution grew by 9% to RM129.9 million, driven mainly by the consumer electronics and industrial tools divisions. This was followed by CBB, contributing RM61.3 million, or 14% more, given higher traction from the offset carton and consumer divisions. CPI added RM49.8 million at a moderate growth of 4%. Finally, KKMW added the remaining revenue of RM32.2 million on 76% growth, riding on higher capacity utilisation, additional new key retailers, and stronger sales in the premium bedding lines."

Keyman188 very excited moment around the corner...

Now already enter into Q2'21...

Towards opening theme park ceremony very very near the moment...

"Opening of theme park by mid-2021, raises optimism of Genting group’s prospects"

## https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/opening-theme-park-mid2021-raises-optimism-genting-groups-prospects

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keyman188 not professional or experts......

Keyman188 always like to follow professional bodies to guide the market directions......


Rakuten : TP - 7.00

Kenanga : TP - 5.93


^^^ No matter foreign institutions or local institutions like JP Morgan, Nomura Research, UOB Kay Hian, Maybank Kim Eng, TA Securities also given super duper bright prospects to Genting Group now...


## https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2021/02/26/quick-recovery-for-genting-in-2h-says-kenanga


## https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2021/03/20/raising-the-wager-on-genting



------------------------------CHEERS-----------------------------------

Keyman188 not professional or experts...

Keyman188 always like to follow professional bodies...


Rakuten : TP - 7.00

Kenanga : TP - 5.93


## https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2021/03/20/raising-the-wager-on-genting


## https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2021/02/26/quick-recovery-for-genting-in-2h-says-kenanga

Further great vaccine development...

Cheers...

Pfizer-BioNTech says Covid vaccine is 100% effective in kids ages 12 to 15

(PUBLISHED WED, MAR 31 20216:45 AM EDTUPDATED WED, MAR 31 20219:52 AM EDT)


~ Pfizer said its coronavirus vaccine was 100% effective in preventing Covid-19 in children ages 12 to 15.

~ Pfizer plans to submit the new vaccine data to the FDA “as soon as possible,” CEO Albert Bourla said.

~ Kids in the age group could be eligible for the vaccine before the new school year.


## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/31/covid-vaccine-pfizer-says-shot-is-100percent-effective-in-kids-ages-12-to-15.html

Further great vaccine development...

Cheers...

Pfizer-BioNTech says Covid vaccine is 100% effective in kids ages 12 to 15

(PUBLISHED WED, MAR 31 20216:45 AM EDTUPDATED WED, MAR 31 20219:52 AM EDT)


~ Pfizer said its coronavirus vaccine was 100% effective in preventing Covid-19 in children ages 12 to 15.

~ Pfizer plans to submit the new vaccine data to the FDA “as soon as possible,” CEO Albert Bourla said.

~ Kids in the age group could be eligible for the vaccine before the new school year.


## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/31/covid-vaccine-pfizer-says-shot-is-100percent-effective-in-kids-ages-12-to-15.html

Further great vaccine development...

Cheers...

Pfizer-BioNTech says Covid vaccine is 100% effective in kids ages 12 to 15

(PUBLISHED WED, MAR 31 20216:45 AM EDTUPDATED WED, MAR 31 20219:52 AM EDT)


~ Pfizer said its coronavirus vaccine was 100% effective in preventing Covid-19 in children ages 12 to 15.

~ Pfizer plans to submit the new vaccine data to the FDA “as soon as possible,” CEO Albert Bourla said.

~ Kids in the age group could be eligible for the vaccine before the new school year.


## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/31/covid-vaccine-pfizer-says-shot-is-100percent-effective-in-kids-ages-12-to-15.html

Further great vaccine development...

Cheers...

Pfizer-BioNTech says Covid vaccine is 100% effective in kids ages 12 to 15

(PUBLISHED WED, MAR 31 20216:45 AM EDTUPDATED WED, MAR 31 20219:52 AM EDT)


~ Pfizer said its coronavirus vaccine was 100% effective in preventing Covid-19 in children ages 12 to 15.

~ Pfizer plans to submit the new vaccine data to the FDA “as soon as possible,” CEO Albert Bourla said.

~ Kids in the age group could be eligible for the vaccine before the new school year.


## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/31/covid-vaccine-pfizer-says-shot-is-100percent-effective-in-kids-ages-12-to-15.html

Further great vaccine development...

Cheers...

Pfizer-BioNTech says Covid vaccine is 100% effective in kids ages 12 to 15

(PUBLISHED WED, MAR 31 20216:45 AM EDTUPDATED WED, MAR 31 20219:52 AM EDT)


~ Pfizer said its coronavirus vaccine was 100% effective in preventing Covid-19 in children ages 12 to 15.

~ Pfizer plans to submit the new vaccine data to the FDA “as soon as possible,” CEO Albert Bourla said.

~ Kids in the age group could be eligible for the vaccine before the new school year.


## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/31/covid-vaccine-pfizer-says-shot-is-100percent-effective-in-kids-ages-12-to-15.html

Further great vaccine development...

Cheers...

Pfizer-BioNTech says Covid vaccine is 100% effective in kids ages 12 to 15

(PUBLISHED WED, MAR 31 20216:45 AM EDTUPDATED WED, MAR 31 20219:52 AM EDT)


~ Pfizer said its coronavirus vaccine was 100% effective in preventing Covid-19 in children ages 12 to 15.

~ Pfizer plans to submit the new vaccine data to the FDA “as soon as possible,” CEO Albert Bourla said.

~ Kids in the age group could be eligible for the vaccine before the new school year.


## https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/31/covid-vaccine-pfizer-says-shot-is-100percent-effective-in-kids-ages-12-to-15.html

Keyman188 foresee Supermax will remove from KLCI Constituents for subsequent review term...

Keyman188 foresee MR.DIY will replace Supermax...

Based on the latest financial performance announcement...

Management no plan yet...

Maybe management wait & see approach the market conditions....

Last year Keyman188 had collected 2.5 cents dividend...

Normally whatever dividend payout will make it end of the year (referring to ex-date)...

Keyman188 already earned handsome profit about 115% for the past 12 months with up & down few rounds...

But unfortunately until now, management hasn't yet to revamp losses quarter by quarter...

So Keyman188 had switched to KPS since KPS can producing substantial growth for the last 2 quarters despite unprecedented virus pandemic last year...

Keyman188 will relook this Muhibbah again once manage to revamp losses but at this moment not the right time...


CHEERS...

大导演回来了...Coward Street Beggar is back...


自编自导自演


Self-producing...self-directing...self-acting...


棟篤笑


真可怜...真可怜...


Kesian...kesian...kesian...

China’s Vaccination Plan Could Lift GDP Growth to 9.3%Bloomberg News

March 30, 2021, 4:23 PM GMT+8

~ Ambitious target of 10 million doses a day will have to be met

~ Consumption, tourism and business confidence will benefit

China’s ambitious plan to vaccinate 40% of its population by the end of June could pave the way for lifting the economy’s growth rate to 9.3% this year, Oxford Economics forecast.

Business confidence and consumer spending will improve should China be able to achieve its targeted rate, which Oxford Economics estimates will require inoculating 10 million people a day -- twice the current pace. If Beijing is able to maintain that rate in the quarter through September as well, it could translate into some form of herd immunity, with 60% to 70% of the population vaccinated.

This would translate into a 0.4 percentage point gain to the gross domestic product growth rate from Oxford Economics’s 8.9% baseline scenario, which assumes five to six million doses are administered per day, according to its report released Tuesday.

Household consumption this year could increase by 7% from its pre-Covid level in 2019, while export of tourism services will recover to about 50% of its 2019 level in the second half of the year, and imports of tourism services will recover around 70%. Fixed investment will also improve, the research institution said.

China’s vaccination drive has so far lagged the U.S. and European countries, with only 107 million of its residents, or 3.8% of the population, being administered the shots. The government’s successful containment of the virus had previously made it cautious about pushing for vaccination.

In a worse-than-expected scenario, where only 40% of population will be vaccinated by the end of the year, economic growth could end up 0.2 percentage points lower from the baseline case at 8.7%, the report said.

“While China’s economic outlook depends less on the speed of vaccine rollout than other countries’ do, it does matter for a ‘full’ return to normalcy domestically and to close the immunity gap with other countries, which will allow China to open its borders safely,” Tommy Wu, lead economist at Oxford Economics, wrote in the report.

Economists expect China’s GDP to expand 8.5% this year, based on median forecast of a Bloomberg poll.


## https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-30/china-s-vaccination-plan-could-lift-gdp-growth-to-9-3?srnd=premium-asia

Keyman188 always highlight to the market...

Always invest what you can understand...

Always invest how much risk you can absorb & handle...

Always behave "Bond Investment Cognition" for long term position...

Keyman188 always highlight to the market...who can laugh until the end early to give final judgement...


CHEERs......

Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor adopts 30% dividend payout policy

(theedgemarkets.com / March 30, 2021 18:52 pm +08)


KUALA LUMPUR (March 30): Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd (KPS) today said it has approved a dividend policy under which the company intends to pay at least 30% of its normalised profit after taxation and minority interest annually.

The policy, which takes immediate effect, will serve as a guideline to ensure that future dividends are declared in reflection of the group's financial position, operating performance, future investment needs, and other factors deemed relevant to the group, KPS said in a statement.

"This is to ensure stable and sustainable returns to shareholders. The dividend declaration and payment will either be in an interim or final dividend, subject to the board and shareholders' approval, respectively," it said.

Its board has also proposed the distribution of RM13.4 million as the final cash dividend for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2020. The proposal will be up to shareholders' approval at its upcoming annual general meeting on May 25.

"If approved, our shareholders will be receiving a 2.5 sen dividend per ordinary share. The final dividend will be payable on June 24 to shareholders of record as of May 31," it said.

KPS' managing director and group chief executive officer Ahmad Fariz Hassan said the group's announcement of its inaugural dividend policy is a significant milestone, which validates its business' overall strengths and sustainability.

"It also reflects the board's confidence in the group and its commitment to rewarding shareholders for their ownership and support. The basic premise is that we expect KPS to continue to create value, improve earnings visibility and generate sustainable cash flows to support the policy, moving in parallel to our long-term business strategy of enhancing the group fundamentals and accelerating the delivery of all our subsidiary companies," he said.

He also said returning capital to shareholders in the form of 2.5 sen final dividend per ordinary share for financial year 2020 shows the group's financial commitment to its shareholders for their support, despite ongoing challenges in the macroeconomic landscape.

"Our excess capital remains at a level that affords us the financial flexibility to grow our business and ensure a healthy balance sheet," he added.

Meanwhile, the group noted it has, since its listing on Bursa Malaysia's Main Market in 2004, consistently delivered financial commitment and rewarded its shareholders with dividends.

It added that it will review the dividend policy annually and may amend it if necessary based on the company's financial position, profitability, cash flow and other relevant factors, to ensure consistency with the group's overall corporate objectives.

KPS closed three sen or 3.06% lower at 95 sen today, valuing the group at RM537.38 million.



## https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/kumpulan-perangsang-selangor-adopts-30-dividend-payout-policy

Yeah..Keyman188 just saw it @ S$1.58...





Posted by Stocksafeplayer > Mar 30, 2021 2:43 PM | Report Abuse

Top Glove in SGX Very RED today! OMG!!!

Much Worse than GenS! How come?

Any story Keyman188 left behind today !!!...

Seem like Genting forum so happening today...

Keyman188 thought only Topglove shall be more happening...

But why suddenly Genting also so happening...

For minimum scenario not applicable for public...

Only base case scenario will open public to subscribe...

Keyman188 maybe will subscribe if management decide to go for "base case scenario" proposal...

Keyman188 looking forward for next 12 ~ 24 months after right issue completed done...

Cheers........

1000% sure will NOT happen today lahhh...



Posted by IronShirt > Mar 30, 2020 7:55 PM | Report Abuse

Limit Down 4.30

China's factories, consumers drive recovery into 2021

(March 15, 2021 12:48 pm +08)

BEIJING (March 15): China's factory and retail sector activity surged in the first two months of the year, beating expectations, as the economy consolidated its brisk recovery from the coronavirus paralysis of early 2020.

While the impressive set of numbers released on Monday were heavily skewed by the very low base from last year's massive slump, analysts said they nonetheless showed China's strong rebound remained intact.

Industrial output rose 35.1% in the first two months from a year earlier, up from a 7.3% on-year uptick seen in December, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed, stronger than a median forecast for a 30.0% surge in a Reuters poll of analysts.

Retail sales increased 33.8%, also faster than a forecast 32% rise and marking a significant jump from 4.6% growth in December and a 20.5% contraction for January-February of 2020.

"We have a positive outlook for exports and manufacturing investment this year," said Louis Kuijs, head of Asia economics and Oxford Economics. "And we expect household consumption to become a key driver of growth from Q2 onwards as confidence improves and the government’s call to reduce travel is toned down."

China's ability to contain the coronavirus pandemic before other major economies were able to do so has allowed it to rebound faster.

In 2020, it was the only major economy to report positive annual growth, with an expansion of 2.3%.

The recovery has been driven by robust trade, pent-up demand and government stimulus.

Export growth hit a record pace in February while factory gate prices posted their biggest expansion since November 2018.

China’s economic activity is normally distorted in the first two months because of the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, which fell in February in 2021.

Modest expectations

Despite the statistical noise in the latest data, other measures show a broad-based recovery with industrial output up 16.9% and retail sales growing 6.4% compared with the first two months of 2019.

However, Liu Aihua, an NBS spokeswoman, warned that while positive factors for China's economy are increasing, the foundation for the recovery is not yet solid.

"Covid-19 is still spreading around the world and global economic conditions are complex and severe; domestically the imbalances of the recovery are still quite obvious," Liu told a briefing in Beijing.

The country saw scattered Covid-19 outbreaks re-emerge earlier this year, but brought them under control by early February.

Surveyed urban unemployment reversed a steady decline and rose to 5.5% in February from 5.2% in December, indicating increasing pressure on China's job market.

While millions of workers normally travel home over the Lunar New Year holiday, many stayed put this year due to Covid-19 fears. That kept factories humming over the period, but it also had some impact on consumer spending.

Seasonally adjusted month-on-month data showed retail sales growth actually fell in January-February, likely due to both travel restrictions but also elevated unemployment, analysts at Capital Economics said in a note.

Fixed asset investment increased 35% in the first two months from the same period a year earlier, slower than a forecast 40.0% jump. That compared with 2.9% on-year growth in 2020, and a 24.5% plunge in January-February last year.

Investment grew 3.5% compared with the first two months of 2019.

Private-sector fixed-asset investment, which makes up 60% of total investment, rose 36.4% in January-February, versus a 1.0% increase for the full year of 2020.

Beijing this month set a modest annual economic growth target, at above 6%, well below analysts' consensus forecast of more than 8% this year.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said last week the focus for growth this year is on consolidating the economic recovery.

Zhang Yi, chief economist at Zhonghai Shengrong Capital Management, said the recovery seen in month-on-month indicators may have already peaked, a sign momentum is slowing.

However, he expects infrastructure to receive a boost from still accommodative fiscal policy while exports are likely to maintain growth as the world economy opens.


## https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/chinas-factory-output-surges-recovery-accelerates

China sees consumption boom during 2021 Spring Festival

From heated local tourism to surging dining and online shopping, China saw a consumption boom that was above the expectations of many during the weeklong Spring Festival holiday, and experts said the trend should continue after COVID-19 vaccines become widely available in mid-2021.

The boom was not all usual, particularly after China's efforts to discourage people from going back home during the Spring Festival to prevent a resurgence of the pandemic - a move that raised some worries about lackluster consumption.

The positive results, however, were better than many people thought and are read as another signal of China's economic strength.

In the tourism sector, which many believed would take a serious hit from the stay-put order, certain cities still saw tourist numbers surge compared with last year's Spring Festival holiday.

Beijing's key tourism sites, for example, received 3.7 times as many people as they did in last year's Spring Festival holiday, while their revenues skyrocketed nine times year-on-year and were even 1.9 times higher than the 2019 holiday.

Shanghai's tourist numbers almost recovered to the level seen in 2019, showing that the tourism market almost returned to pre-pandemic level.

The booming tourism business greatly boosted hotel room bookings, as many hotels, such as those in suburban Beijing, were fully booked for the holiday. Rooms in Shanghai's Disneyland were also entirely booked for this year's New Year's Eve, according to data sent by tourism service provider qunar.com to the Global Times.

This apparently shows a trend of improving after China's tourism market slumped amid the coronavirus hit.

Tourism during the holiday showed a significant increase from last year, and it almost reached 90 percent of the 2019 level in terms of visits and revenue, Xu Xiaolei, marketing manager at China's CYTS Tours Holding Co, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"With the development of vaccines and an increase in epidemic prevention and control measures in place this year, we expect tourism for the coming Qingming Festival holiday may be the same as 2019," Xu predicted.

Consumers also spent lavishly on other activities such as dining and shopping during this year's Spring Festival. According to data monitored by the Ministry of Commerce, China's key retail and dining enterprises saw revenues grow 28.7 percent year-on-year to 821 billion yuan ($127 billion) from February 11-17.

A Shanghai resident surnamed Dai said that his family dined out at restaurants three times during this year's Spring Festival holiday, spending 1,500 yuan on food each time.

"We usually wouldn't spend so much dining out during Spring Festival, but as we canceled travel plans this year, we dined out more to compensate," he told the Global Times.

The rising spending on tourism and other activities came as sporadic outbreaks of the coronavirus were put successfully under control. China has now cleared all high-risk COVID-19 areas.

Cong Yi, a professor at the Tianjin University of Finance and Economics, said that China has around 400 million people with middle-class or higher income levels, which shows a clear trend of consumption structural upgrading.

"We believe that China is a market with massive potential and resilience, with a solid consumer base and an upgrading trend," Cong told the Global Times.

Cong predicted that China's consumption would show a strong rebound this year, particularly after COVID-19 vaccines become widely available in May or June.

"After the pandemic is put under control completely, all sectors including consumption and investment would show a robust recovery in China," he said.

China's unexpectedly strong consumption growth was also in stark comparison to the US market, which presented a gloomy picture of consumer sentiment, global research data showed.

Ipsos' February index of global consumer confidence noted that China's consumer index surged 6.5 points year-on-year to 71.8 for February 2021, the largest growth among the 24 monitored economies. In comparison, the US' consumer sentiment index decreased 12.6 in February from one year earlier, the largest drop among all countries.

## https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202102/1215874.shtml