Chinese GDP growth in Q4 slows to 6.4%, as expected

BEIJING (Reuters) – The Chinese economy grew 6.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to the previous year, according to official figures released Monday, in line with expectations and below the 6.5 percent growth registered in the previous quarter.

The growth rates recorded between September and December were the weakest since the financial crisis, showed data published by the National Bureau of Statistics, which reinforced fears of a more pronounced slowdown in global growth.

Analysts polled by Reuters were expecting a 6.4% increase in gross domestic product during the quarter from October to December.

For all of 2018, the world's second largest economy grew 6.6% – its slowest expansion in 28 years and a slowdown from a 6.8% in 2017, according to official data released on Monday. Analysts expected 6.6%.

Chinese policymakers are expected to strengthen their support for the economy this year to avoid a further downturn, but badysts say activity will not stabilize before summer, prompting Beijing to reach an agreement with Washington to end to their trade war.

On a quarterly basis, gross domestic product (GDP) increased 1.5% in October-December, up from 1.6% in the previous three months, the National Bureau of Statistics said. Analysts expected 1.5%.