BEIJING, April 18 (Reuters) - China's industrial output rose 5.0% in March from a year earlier, down from a 7.5% increase seen in the first two months of the year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday.
The reading was stronger than a 4.5% increase predicted by analysts in a Reuters poll.
Retail sales in March contracted 3.5% year-on-year amid increasing COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns, after increasing 6.7% in January and February. The figure was well below expectations for a 1.6% decrease.
Fixed asset investment increased 9.3% year-on-year in the first quarter, compared with the 8.5% increase tipped by the Reuters poll but down from 12.2% growth in the first two months. (Reporting by Beijing News Room; Editing by Kim Coghill)