Chinese services companies saw business activity growth slow further in January, according to latest PMI data. Total new orders also expanded at a softer rate, in spite of a stronger increase in new work from abroad. At the same time, firms registered a sustained rise in operating expenses, while efforts to help contain costs contributed to a broad stagnation of employment across the sector. Prices charged by service providers meanwhile fell slightly due to efforts to boost sales. Nonetheless, firms recorded a stronger degree of optimism towards the year ahead, with business confidence improving to a 16-month high in ... (full story)