PANews reported on January 23 that, according to Jinshi, Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, stated that the preliminary US PMI readings indicate continued economic growth at the beginning of the year. However, further signs suggest that the pace of economic growth has slowed since the start of the new year, declining compared to the robust growth seen last fall. The survey indicates that the annualized GDP growth rate for December and January is expected to be 1.5%, but worryingly, new business growth in both manufacturing and services is sluggish, further suggesting that first-quarter growth may be disappointing. Meanwhile, job growth is also disappointing, with employment figures almost stagnating in January as businesses hesitate to increase staffing amid an uncertain environment, weak demand, and high cost pressures.