China’s manufacturing unexpectedly strengthened in July, suggesting a slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy may be stabilizing as the government rolls out targeted measures to support growth. The Purchasing Managers’ Index was at 50.3, the National Bureau of Statistics and China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said today in Beijing. That compared with the 49.8 median forecast of 35 analysts in a Bloomberg News survey and June’s 50.1 level. Readings above 50 indicate expansion. Improvements at manufacturers would help Premier Li Keqiang achieve the year’s 7.5 percent expansion goal as he tries to ... (full story)