China’s factory activity likely returned to meagre growth in June

BEIJING, June 29 (Reuters) – China’s factory activity likely returned to growth in June, albeit by the slimmest of margins, as the world’s second-largest economy struggles for momentum despite strong demand for high-tech exports to feed the global AI boom. A Reuters poll of 23 economists forecast the official purchasing managers’ index (PMI) would rise to 50.1 from May’s 50.0, just above the 50-point threshold that separates growth from contraction. The data is due on Tuesday. A surge in global AI investment has helped the world’s top manufacturer offset the export hit many had expected from the Middle East turmoil….