
Profits of China's major industrial firms grew 16.2 percent in the first eight months of 2018, down from a rise of 17.1 percent for the January-July period, data showed Thursday.
![[File photo: IC]](http://www.people.com.cn/mediafile/pic/GQ/20180927/54/4513440590547734146.jpg)
Some 34 of the 41 industries monitored by the government recorded rising profits compared with one year earlier, up from 32 for January-July, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Although industrial profits rose at a slower pace, NBS official He Ping said supply-side structural reform has led to falling operating costs and leverage ratios, while industrial companies' profitability continued to improve.
In the first eight months, cost per 100 yuan (about 14.6 U.S. dollars) of revenue dropped 0.35 yuan from the same period last year to 84.39 yuan, according to He.
The debt-asset ratios of major industrial firms dropped 0.5 percentage points year on year to 56.6 percent by the end of August.
Overseas-funded industrial firms recorded faster profit growth compared with the January-July period, while profit growth at state-owned enterprises declined.
For August alone, profits of major industrial companies nationwide rose 9.2 percent from one year earlier, decelerating from a rise of 16.2 percent registered in July.
He Ping attributed the slower growth in August to a higher comparative base from last year and a pullback in the growth of revenues and product prices.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses