China Factory Activity Disappoints in Sign of Faltering Momentum

China’s manufacturing activity expanded less than forecast in October, a private survey showed, adding to worrying signs about the economy’s momentum as the year winds down.

The RatingDog China General Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index slipped to 50.6 from 51.2 in September, according to a statement released on Monday, staying just above the 50 mark that divides expansion from contraction. The median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg was 50.7.

New export orders dropped at the quickest pace since May, the PMI report showed, with goods producers turning the least optimistic in six months. A long national holiday in October ...