Fund managers optimistic

Investors to eye manufacturing data before choosing investment strategy

BEIJING - Investors' interpretation of July's manufacturing data will be key to determining the direction of the Chinese stock market in the coming quarters, analysts said.

China's manufacturing sector grew at the slowest pace in 17 months in July as the official Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 51.2 from 52.1 in June, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.