China's CPI grinds to halt, production contraction continues

The news: China's consumer price index remained flat in September, while production in the world's second-biggest economy continued to shrink.

The numbers: China's annual CPI in September ground to a halt after posting 0.1% in the year to August, and came in under expectations of 0.2%. Its producer price index shrank by 2.5% over the year to September, slightly slower than August's 3.0% contraction.

The context: China's slowing economy has been a concern for its trading partners and global markets more broadly, as weak domestic demand and a property sector crisis have dampened outlooks. China's economy has been showing some signs of stabilising, but the momentum of any recovery is still a cause for concern, Reuters reports.