AI Data Insight
The services employment index within China's non-manufacturing PMI for Q3 2026 dropped to 46.2, weakening further from the previous Q2 reading of 46.4. Although the overall non-manufacturing index unexpectedly outperformed market consensus and maintained expansion, the performance of high-tech and traditional services polarized. Companies have slowed hiring amid profit compression, highlighting the challenge of a "jobless recovery" in the economy.