China's Caixin/ S&P Global Maufacturing PMI for August arrived at 49.5 vs. 50.2 expected and 50.4 previous, showing that the country’s manufacturing sector activity returned to contraction.

The survey data signaled a downturn, as power cuts weigh on manufacturing sector performance in August.

Wang Zhe, Senior Economist at Caixin Insight Group said, “A resurgence of Covid-19 infections, coupled with a prolonged heat wave, weighed on the manufacturing sector.”

“Manufacturing supply expanded while demand shrank. Although output increased for the third successive month, the rate of expansion was marginal due chiefly to power cuts caused by the heat wave, Wang added.

AUD/USD attacks 0.6800

The downbeat print of the Chinese Manufacturing PMI renders negative for the aussie dollar, as AUD/USD is trading at 0.6808, down 0.44% on the day, at the time of writing.